BEIJING, Feb. 24 -- “Defending national territorial integrity is the PLA’s sacred duty. So long as the “Taiwan independence” provocations persist, the Chinese PLA will definitely not stop its actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular media briefing on Thursday.Tan made this remark when asked to comment on Taiwan media reports that Taiwan’s military had conducted various training and war-preparedness operations during the Spring Festival holiday.
Tan pointed out that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have been seeking external support, making “independence” provocations in all forms, and continuously escalating the cross-Strait confrontation. That is the root cause of their acts of endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as a serious scourge on the welfare of all Taiwan compatriots.
He stressed that the regular patrols in the sea and air space around the Taiwan Island conducted by the PLA’s multiple services and arms as well as multiple batches of vessels and aircraft are intended to resolutely crack down on the rampant arrogance of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and their attempts for "independence".
