Any line crossing, provocations on Taiwan question bound to be struck back: Chinese spokesperson

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Any despicable act of crossing the line or making provocations on the Taiwan question will surely be retaliated against resolutely by China, and any attempt to thwart China's endeavor for reunification is doomed to failure, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to a related query about the military drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island organized by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army starting from Monday.

The drills are a punitive and deterrent action against separatist forces who seek "Taiwan independence" through military buildup, and a necessary move to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Lin said.

He stressed that to advance their separatist agenda, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are turning Taiwan into a powder keg. Their massive and desperate arms purchase further reveal their true nature as provocateurs, saboteurs of peace and warmongers, he said.

"Anyone who tries to arm Taiwan to contain China will only embolden the separatists and push the Taiwan Strait closer to the peril of armed conflict," said Lin.

Noting the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, Lin said nothing will deter China from defending national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.