China's defence ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was entitled to stage exercises and the military would "not be absent" if required to fight separatist forces.
Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday went on alert and activated an emergency response centre after reporting a surge in Chinese military activity, both nearby and more broadly in the East and South China Seas.
Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory - a claim rejected by Taipei, which says that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
Responding to a question on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent visits to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam, and whether or not China had held drills, China's defence ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial.
"Whether or not to hold exercises and when to hold them is a matter for us to decide on our own according to our own needs and the situation of the struggle," it said.
Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday went on alert and activated an emergency response centre after reporting a surge in Chinese military activity, both nearby and more broadly in the East and South China Seas.
Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory - a claim rejected by Taipei, which says that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
Responding to a question on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent visits to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam, and whether or not China had held drills, China's defence ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial.
"Whether or not to hold exercises and when to hold them is a matter for us to decide on our own according to our own needs and the situation of the struggle," it said.
13 days ago
