BEIJING, April 2. /TASS/. Taiwan’s push for independence will bring the island closer to war, Spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense Zhang Xiaogang said, commenting on the Strait Thunder-2025A large-scale drills of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA).
"Taiwan’s independence is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait," Zhang said in a statement. "The aspiration for independence will only subject Taiwan to the threat of a war and incur unbearable suffering on our Taiwanese compatriots," he added.
The military official noted that the PLA military exercise around the island is "absolutely legitimate, necessary, and reasonable" and serves as a strong containing factor against the supporters of Taiwan’s independence who are "deliberately provoking a war."
According to Zhang, the administration of Taiwan's head Lai Ching-te is fiercely striving for independence and provoking confrontation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. "We are cautioning the Lai Ching-te administration that those who play with fire will bring the fire upon themselves, and the more problems they create, the sooner they die," the military official stated.
On April 1 and 2, the PLA held large-scale military drills near Taiwan. The military carried out combat patrols near the island and practiced measures on establishing comprehensive control over it, blocking key routes and areas. Long-range artillery was used to conduct precision strikes on simulated targets, including seaports and energy infrastructure. Additionally, the PLA engaged the Shandong aircraft carrier to the east of the island.
Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in China’s civil war. Since then, Taiwan has preserved the flag and some other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed in mainland China before the Communists came to power. Beijing regards the island as one of its provinces and this position is supported by most countries, including Russia. Lately, relations between China’s central government and the administration in Taipei have turned particularly tense.