By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - China said on Thursday that its military exercises around Taiwan were held to test war-fighting capabilities, reiterating that “Taiwan is a part of China.”
The remark came from Senior Colonel Wu Qian, China’s Defense Ministry spokesman, after Taiwan’s leader, Lai Ching-te, recently called China a “foreign hostile force.”
“Recently, naval and air troops of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Eastern Theater Command conducted readiness patrols and joint exercises in areas around Taiwan to test and enhance their war-fighting capabilities,” Wu Qian said.
“It serves as an effective punishment and deterrence against the 'Taiwan independence' separatists and a stern warning against external interfering forces. It is fully legitimate and necessary,” the spokesman added.
“We will remain ready and able to fight and win at all times and will take resolute measures to defeat any separatist attempt for 'Taiwan independence,'” Wu Qian concluded.
Previously, Taipei held five-day “immediate response” military exercises from March 17-21.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its "breakaway province," held its own military exercises around Taiwan when Taipei launched the military drill.