Defense Ministry reiterates determination to safeguard sovereignty

China's military highlighted its determination and ability to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to questions on an unconfirmed report of a military drill targeting Taiwan secessionists on Thursday.

"We will resolutely contain any action and attempt by the secessionists for Taiwan independence," said Yang Yujun, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense at a monthly press conference on Thursday.

Yang made the remarks when responding to a question on an unconfirmed report of a large-scale military exercise to be held by the People's Liberation Army, which is suspected to aim at the Taiwan secessionist forces.

Yang, without directly talking about the reported exercise, said China is as determined as ever, and more capable to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Taiwan's new leader, Tsai Ing-wen, made an inauguration speech on Friday. Tsai did not clearly recognize the 1992 Consensus, which says that both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are parts of one China.

Tsai presented an unfinished answer sheet, as the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council reported.

Wu Yongping, deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Tsinghua University, said the Defense Ministry signals a clear message that Taiwan's new leadership should adhere to the 1992 Consensus and commit to the "one China" principle.

"If any kind of secessionism appears in Taiwan, the mainland will show its determination and capability to maintain national unity, and military strength is one way to do so," Wu said.

With Taiwan's new leadership taking office, cross-Straits relations are full of uncertainties, and the mainland has, in many occasions, clarified that the cross-Straits relations are based on the 1992 Consensus.

On Wednesday, Ma Xiaoguang, the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs spokesman, said that Tsai must clarify her stance on cross-Straits relations without any equivocation.