Mainland condemns Taiwan's military drills, cites disruption to residents' lives

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' pursuit of "Taiwan independence" has undermined social stability and disrupted the daily lives of Taiwan residents, criticizing the island's recent military exercise.

Commenting on the Han Kuang 42 live-fire exercise held from Aug 5 to 14, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the DPP authorities have stubbornly adhered to their separatist position in pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and aggressively promoted "independence" through military means.

"The DPP authorities have seriously undermined social stability in Taiwan and affected the daily lives and well-being of Taiwan residents through their abuse of power and reckless actions," she said.

The annual exercise, for the first time, included a simulation involving reduced mobile network speeds. According to reports, some residents in Taiwan questioned the need for such "network disruption" drills and complained that they were unable to order food deliveries or use payment cards during the exercise, which affected their daily lives.

Zhu said the so-called drills would only help the people of Taiwan better understand that "Taiwan independence" separatism poses the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and is the greatest scourge to the well-being of Taiwan residents.

"Only by adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing 'Taiwan independence' can peace and stability be safeguarded and people live and work in peace and contentment," Zhu added.