CCTV News: On the afternoon of February 27, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions from reporters.
Reporter: The commander of the US Indo-Pacific headquarters recently said that the People's Liberation Army's activities around Taiwan have increased significantly in recent years. In February alone, it has sent "spy balloons" and combat aircraft to the surrounding islands of Taiwan many times. When the mainland "attacks Taiwan", it is likely that it "used exercises to cover up its true purpose." According to Taiwan media reports, officials from the Indo-Pacific headquarters of the US military participated in the "Han Guang" exercise. What is the spokesperson’s comment?
Question:Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) recently said that the PLA had significantly increased its activities around Taiwan in recent years, and had sent multiple spy balloons, naval vessels and military planes around the island in February alone. He also claimed that the Chinese mainland will probably use exercises as a fig leaf to conceal an attack on the island. In addition, Taiwan media outlets reported that officers from the INDOPACOM participated in the table-top phase of Han Kuang exercise. What’s your comment on this?
Wu Qian: I will not comment on the specific tactics you mentioned here. The compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese. We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and efforts, but we will never promise to give up the use of force. This is aimed at the separatist forces of "Taiwan independence" and external interference. As long as someone engages in "Taiwan independence", he will inevitably be hit by the People's Liberation Army unexpectedly. We also warn some people in the United States that they should not "steal chickens" on the Taiwan issue. If they fail to steal chickens, they will lose more than just a handful of rice.
Wu Qian:I will not comment on the specific tactics you mentioned. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same Chinese family. We will struggle for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort. But we make no promise to renounce the use of force, which is targeted at the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference. Anyone who dares to push for “Taiwan independence” will certainly face swift and strong countermeasures from the PLA. And we warn some individuals of the US side: playing sneaky tricks on Taiwan would only backfire.
