CCTV News: On March 17, Chen Binhua, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, answered questions from reporters.
A reporter asked, "The People's Liberation Army is conducting military exercises near the Taiwan Strait today. Public opinion believes that this is a counter-deterrent pressure on Lai Ching-te's recent rampant provocation of "Taiwan independence" separatist remarks and the recent collusion trends between Taiwan and the United States. What are your comments on this?
Chen Binhua said that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's sacred territory. The People's Liberation Army's exercises near Taiwan is a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te's continuous publicity of the fallacy of "Taiwan independence" separatist and escalating cross-strait confrontation, a powerful deterrence against provocations of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces seeking "independence", a solemn warning to external forces' interference and trouble, and a legitimate and necessary move to defend national sovereignty and maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.
"Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait. Since Lai Ching-te came to power, he has stubbornly adhered to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence", repeatedly advocated the "new two-state theory" of "unaffiliated mutually", and has stepped up restrictions on cross-strait exchanges and exchanges, vigorously promoted the "decoupling and breaking chains" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and at the same time, he has stepped up collusion with external forces to "sell Taiwan to beg for assistance", trying to "use martial arts to seek independence" and "rely rely on foreign countries to seek independence." His actions seriously provoke the one-China principle, seriously undermine cross-strait relations, constantly push Taiwan to a dangerous situation of fierce war, and seriously threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In this regard, we will never tolerate tolerance and resolutely counter and punish.
The Taiwan issue concerns national dignity and national feelings. It is the core of China's core interests and a red line that cannot be challenged. He warned Lai Qingte's authorities that the courage to provoke and play with fire will only lead to self-destruction and to pieces.
