A Chinese military spokesperson said on Thursday that the recent military workout conducted by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) around the island of Taiwan is entirely legitimate and necessary.The leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, just recently made separatist remarks claiming that the 2 sides throughout the Taiwan Straits are not subordinate to each other and called the mainland a foreign hostile force.
In mid-March, the PLA carried out a military workout near Taiwan.
Some said the workout was a countermeasure versus Lais separatist rhetoric and recent collusion between Taiwan and the U.S.When responding to a media question concerning the military drill, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said naval and air troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command carried out preparedness patrols and joint exercises in areas around Taiwan to check and boost their war-fighting capabilities.Wu said it serves as an effective punishment and deterrence against the Taiwan self-reliance separatists and a stern caution against external interfering forces, adding that it is fully genuine and necessary.
The spokesperson stated that the PLA will resolutely carry out the Partys general strategy for dealing with the Taiwan question in the new era.
We will remain prepared and able to eliminate and win at all times and will take resolute measures to defeat any separatist effort for Taiwan self-reliance, Wu stated.