The PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait are a forced measure to protect the country's sovereignty, Beijing says
Beijing. April 14. The policy of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait was the main reason for the deterioration of the situation in the area, said Ma Xiaoguang, head of the Office of Taiwan Affairs at the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
"The current situation in the Taiwan Strait is complex and grim, the root cause is the DPP authorities and the separatists who advocate Taiwan independence, associated with external forces, continuing the path of provocations, undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the official told reporters at a briefing.
He noted that the Chinese authorities are ready to do everything possible for peaceful reunification, but in no case "will not tolerate various forms of separatist activities in the name of Taiwan's independence."
Ma Xiaoguang stated: "The conduct of practical exercises by the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) in the Taiwan Sea area is a necessary response to the current security situation and a necessary measure to protect national sovereignty, as well as a serious reaction to the intervention of external forces."
He confirmed that the Taiwan issue is a purely internal matter of China, which will not allow any outside interference.
"We strongly oppose the United States, referring to the so - called 'Chinese military threat', playing the 'Taiwan card', thereby sending the wrong signal to the forces of 'Taiwan independence', "Ma Xiaoguang said.
At the same time, as reported by CNN, citing a senior administration official and a representative of the State Department, US President Joe Biden on Tuesday sent an unofficial delegation to Taiwan.
The delegation included former Senator Chris Dodd and former senior State Department officials Richard Armitage and James Steinberg.
"The selection of these three individuals - senior statesmen who are longtime friends of Taiwan and are personally close to President Biden - is an important signal of the U.S. commitment to supporting Taiwan and its democracy," CNN quoted its sources as saying.
