The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized on Monday that recent military exercises near the Taiwan Strait serve as a firm response to external interference and a clear warning to separatist elements seeking "Taiwan independence." Spokesperson Mao Ning stated the drills, conducted earlier in the day, were necessary to uphold national sovereignty and regional stability.
Mao linked the exercises to recent changes in U.S. policy toward the Taiwan region, specifically citing the removal of language affirming the one-China principle and opposition to "Taiwan independence" from the U.S. State Department’s website. "Such actions send dangerous signals to separatist forces," she said during a press briefing, urging Washington to adhere to commitments made by previous administrations.
The spokesperson reiterated that Taiwan remains an inalienable part of China’s territory, describing cross-strait peace as "incompatible with separatist agendas." She cautioned that mishandling the Taiwan question could destabilize broader China-U.S. relations, emphasizing Beijing’s resolve to counteract what it views as provocative attempts to "contain China through the Taiwan region."
Analysts suggest the drills reflect heightened tensions amid renewed discussions about U.S.-Taiwan engagement. Mao called for restraint from all parties to avoid further escalation, stressing dialogue as the pathway to "shared stability in the Asia-Pacific."
