Spokesman defends mainland’s lawful activities around Taiwan

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday condemned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for escalating cross-Strait tensions by repeatedly smearing the mainland's legitimate and routine activities in waters around Taiwan.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular news conference that the DPP authorities have consistently hyped up issues, spread rumors and smeared the mainland in pursuit of "Taiwan independence", while provoking confrontation and hostility across the Taiwan Strait.

On July 22, the Zhangzhou Maritime Safety Administration in Fujian province issued a navigation warning announcing that live-fire exercises would be conducted in parts of the Taiwan Strait on July 23 and 24.

Taiwan's external affairs department described the move as "another provocation that undermines regional security and stability" and urged the mainland to exercise restraint and immediately halt what it called "military provocations".

In response, Chen said Taiwan is part of China, and it is reasonable, lawful and fully justified for the People's Liberation Army to organize military drills and training activities in waters around the island.

"It once again exposed the weakness behind the DPP authorities' separatist attempts, which are doomed to fail," he said.

Chen also addressed the DPP authorities' criticism of a scientific survey conducted by the Chinese mainland.

From July 17 to 23, a scientific survey vessel operated by the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences carried out a survey of fishery resources in waters east of Taiwan Island. The DPP authorities described the activity as "malicious political manipulation and cognitive warfare to assert jurisdiction over the waters" and claimed it underscored the need for increased budget allocations for the coast guard and military.

Chen said the survey was intended to provide scientific support for marine fishery resource conservation and the sustainable development of the marine fishing industry.

"It was a fully legitimate and lawful routine scientific research activity that benefits people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," he said.

He said the DPP authorities had no grounds to make unfounded accusations against the survey.

"Their attempt to use the issue to call for increased budgets for maritime forces is, in fact, a politically motivated maneuver aimed at provoking confrontation and hostility across the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

Chen also criticized remarks made by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te at the commissioning ceremony of the Tan Chiang warship on Friday, where Lai said the warship's commissioning demonstrated the island's resolve to "defend its security".

Chen said Lai's remarks further exposed his stubborn "Taiwan independence" stance and his intention to pursue "Taiwan independence" through military means, while disregarding the mainstream aspiration on the island for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation.

"Such efforts are nothing but an overestimation of their own capabilities and will only push Taiwan toward disaster," Chen added.