🚁 In a bold move, China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office announced on Thursday that recent drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) around the island of Taiwan are a direct response to a speech by the Taiwan region's new leader, Lai Ching-te. 🗣️
Lai's speech on Monday, which the office claims promotes \"independence\", has sparked tensions. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a press briefing that the PLA drills are a resolute punishment for these provocations. ⚠️
\"We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form,\" Chen emphasized. He added that the drills serve as stern warnings not only to the Taiwan authorities but also to external forces supporting the \"Taiwan independence\" agenda and interfering in China's internal affairs. 💥
According to Chen, Lai has been challenging the one-China principle since taking office. By advertising the \"two-state\" theory and seeking \"independence\" through foreign influence and force, Lai is pushing boundaries that Beijing deems unacceptable. 🛑
The spokesperson clarified that these military actions are not directed against the people of Taiwan. \"The countermeasures against those separatist activities and interference by external forces are in no way directed against our compatriots in Taiwan,\" Chen assured. 🤝
He expressed hope that the people of Taiwan will stand on \"the right side of history\" and join in opposing separatist acts and external interference to realize national reunification. 🌏
The situation highlights the ongoing complexities in cross-strait relations, with both sides expressing firm stances. As tensions rise, the region—and the world—watches closely. 🌐
Reference(s):
Taiwan Affairs Office says PLA drills a response to Lai's speech
cgtn.com
