Defense spokesman rejects 'zones' set up by DPP

The so-called zones and lines set up by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are all invalid, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.

Some Taiwan media reported the DPP authorities have recently set up so-called surveillance zones, warning zones and destruction zones for mainland military aircraft in the "airspace of the Taiwan Straits".

Taiwan's ruling party also made it a "red line" for reaction if a mainland military aircraft approaches the island within a radius of 30 nautical miles.

Following these moves, the People's Liberation Army conducted live-fire drills in the waters around the South China Sea and the Nanpeng Islands, a chain of islands located in the north of South China Sea, from April 15 to 20, according to the Guangdong provincial maritime bureau.

In response to these actions, spokesman Wu Qian said at a news conference the PLA's exercises near the Taiwan Straits are aimed at secessionist and external forces seeking and provoking "Taiwan independence".

He said Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and all so-called zones or lines cannot shake the country's determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The DPP trying to "pursue independence by force" is like "a mantis trying to stop a truck with its pincers", a move that will only lead to its own destruction, he added.