Related military activities taken by China necessary, justified, says Chinese FM on inquiry of military exercises around Taiwan Straits Monday

In response to a question that it is learned Chinese military conducted military exercises around the Taiwan Straits on Monday, which some believed are related to the recent changes in the US State Department's wording on its Taiwan policy and the provocative actions of "Taiwan independence" forces, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the related military activities taken by China are necessary, lawful, and justified measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. They serve as a firm response to the deliberate indulgence and support of "Taiwan independence" activities by external forces, and a stern warning to the separatist actions of the "Taiwan independence" forces.

Mao said that the US has recently taken a series of erroneous actions regarding the Taiwan question, particularly by changing the content on the US State Department's website related to its relations with Taiwan island and removing the previous statement that the US "does not support 'Taiwan independence'." This represents a serious regression in the US position on Taiwan-related issues. It is yet another example of the US deliberately promoting the strategy of "using Taiwan question to contain China" and condoning support for "Taiwan independence," sending a seriously erroneous signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Mao emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations. If the foundation is not solid, the ground will shake and the mountains will tremble. "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace across the Taiwan Straits and engaging in "Taiwan independence" separatist activities is a dead end. Using Taiwan question to contain China will only get burned, Mao said.

We urge the US to strictly adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, honor the solemn commitments made by successive US administrations on the Taiwan question, cease provocative actions that cross the line, handle the Taiwan question with utmost caution, and avoid causing further serious damage to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and China-US relations, Mao added.