China's military says Taiwan drills met goals but it is ready for further action

30/5/2024 17:41

        China's military achieved its "expected goals" during two days of drills around Taiwan last week but is prepared for further action if provoked, a defence ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
        
        China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, staged two days of war games around the island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing calls a "separatist".
        
        Thursday's comments came hours after Taiwan warned that Beijing was trying to "nibble away" at its space and create a new normal with drills and other moves to exert pressure on Lai's new administration.
        
        The spokesperson, Wu Qian, said in Beijing, the joint drills by the People's Liberation Army were "a measure to contain aggressive Taiwanese independence and separatist activities and a warning against foreign interference."
        
        He told a press briefing, "We have reached our expected goals."
        
        Wu added, "We are confident that despite turbulence and changes in outside situation, we will deal with everything with ease," vowing "stronger countermeasures" by the military against any further moves by "separatist" forces.
        
        While the drills have formally ended, China's military activities have not, with Taiwan saying on Wednesday that Chinese warplanes and warships carried out a "joint combat readiness patrol".