The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) stands resolute in its commitment to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity against any provocations for 'Taiwan independence', prepared to take decisive action when necessary, according to a commentary released by China Media Group(CMG) on Monday.
An edited English-language version of the commentary follows:
The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA on Monday sent army, navy, air and rocket forces to conduct "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in the Taiwan Strait and in areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan island, to test their combat capabilities. The Liaoning aircraft carrier group participated in the joint military drills to the east of Taiwan island.
This is a strong deterrent to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces' provocations and a legitimate and imperative action in defense of national sovereignty and unity.
Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te, an advocate of "Taiwan independence" and a peace saboteur, has continued to tout his "two states" theory, with a more confrontational mindset and more provocative speech.
His words deliberately raise cross-Strait tensions and seriously undermine peace and stability.
It was Lai Ching-te's provocations that led to the mainland's justified, reasonable and legitimate countermeasures.
Lai's words are highly deceptive and harmful. He attempted to disguise the separatist idea of 'Taiwan independence' as a dispute between systems, hyped up the false narrative of ‘democracy versus authoritarianism', and claimed to 'stand firmly in the key position in the global supply chain of democracy'.
As a matter of fact, he has suppressed public opinion on the island and created 'green terror', thus trampling on the spirit of democracy.
The mainland's opposition to ‘Taiwan independence' has nothing to do with the system, but rather with the struggle for unity and secession.
The large-scale military exercises staged by the PLA in the Taiwan Strait are not to 'find excuses' as was called by the United States, but rather a just move by a sovereign country to punish any attempts to split up the country and to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has a full legal basis.
According to the national constitution, Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. The Anti-Secession Law stipulates that one of the missions of the PLA is to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
PLA exercises in its own territory, territorial waters and airspace are an exercise of its sovereignty, and there is no need for ‘excuses'.
It should be noted that the military exercise by the PLA is directed solely at provocations from 'Taiwan independence' separatists; it is by no means targeted at compatriots in Taiwan.
'Taiwan independence' will only lead to a dead end, cause hardship for Taiwan, and is commonly opposed by the international community.
Over the past few days, various sectors in Taiwan have criticized Lai Ching-te's speech for challenging the one-China principle, endangering peace across the Taiwan Strait and seriously undermining the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots.
Therefore, the mainland's countermeasures in this instance are also a firm safeguard for the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan.
The Taiwan question is at the heart of China's core interests. The call for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation are the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Strait. 'Taiwan independence' is incompatible with peace and stability, and runs counter to the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of Taiwan Strait.
As long as 'Taiwan independence' provocation continues, the PLA will take resolute countermeasures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The more provocations from Lai Ching-te, the tighter the noose will be around their necks!
PLA ready to take decisive action as long as secessionist provocations continue in Taiwan: commentary
