China reaffirmed its commitment to “firmly defend” its sovereignty on Monday, reiterating that Taiwan is an “inalienable” part of its territorial claims. The statement followed reports from Taiwan, which indicated the presence of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels within its waters.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stressed China’s resolve to uphold its national sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst heightened military readiness by Taiwan’s armed forces.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence reported the sighting of Chinese coast guard vessels and noted that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had restricted airspace along the Chinese coastal region.
There is growing speculation regarding the potential for China to initiate military exercises, particularly in light of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent diplomatic trip to the Pacific, which included visits to Hawaii and Guam. When queried about the possibility of military drills in the vicinity of Taiwan and the assertions made by Taipei, Mao stated unequivocally, “Taiwan does not have a ministry of defence.”
Mao further asserted that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Taiwan issue is an internal matter of China.”
Taiwan, on the other hand, identifies itself as a sovereign state with its own government, military infrastructure, and currency. Nevertheless, the Chinese government insists that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not dismissed the possibility of employing military force to assert its claim over the island.
