China: Those Who Want Peace Must Reject Taiwan's Freedom

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing. (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said anyone who wants peace around the Taiwan Strait should oppose Taiwan's "independence".

"For anyone who cares about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, they must oppose, especially and first 'Taiwan independence'," Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing as reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 14.

The Chinese armed forces deployed planes and ships in a fourth round military exercise around Taiwan on Monday (14/10), days after Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te's speech at the ceremony on Thursday (10/10) or also called "Double Tenth Day" (10 October) which is considered Taiwan's national day.

Lai Ching-te in his speech revealed his mission was to "highly uphold his commitment to countering annexation or pruning Taiwan's sovereignty".

"What I can say is that 'Taiwan independence' is equally incompatible with cross-sate peace, such as fire with water, and provocations by 'Taiwan independence' troops will be responded to with countermeasures," said Mao Ning.

China, said Mao Ning, has always been committed to maintaining regional peace and stability, which countries in the region can watch.

"Taiwan is part of China and the Taiwan issue is an internal Chinese affair that does not allow external interference," added Mao Ning.

This exercise is named Joint Sword-2024B with the aim of testing the joint operational capabilities of the theater command forces in the northern, southern and eastern regions of Taiwan Island.

Chinese warships and aircraft are approaching Taiwan in "close proximity from various directions" with a focus on patrolling the readiness of sea-air combat, blocking ports and critical areas, attacking maritime and ground targets, as well as fighting for a comprehensive advantage.

China's Ministry of Defense said the exercise was also a firm warning against the separatist actions of Taiwan's independence forces as well as legitimate and necessary operations to safeguard the country's sovereignty and national unity.

For these military exercises, Taiwan denounced China's "inrational and provocative behavior" and said it had "sent appropriate powers to respond appropriately to protect freedom and democracy and defend Taiwan's sovereignty".

The Taiwanese government also said China's latest war games and its refusal to stop the use of force were "broad provocations" that seriously undermine regional peace and stability.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller denounced China's military exercises around Taiwan, calling the move "baseless and at risk of escalating tensions and urging Beijing to act more cautiously.

"If the US really cares about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and regional, the US needs to adhere to the principles of 'One China' and three Chinese-US communicants, acting on its leaders' commitment not to support 'Taiwan independence', stopping to arm Taiwan, and stopping sending wrong signals to separatist forces. 'Taiwan independence'," said Mao Ning.