China warns: Taiwan's independence and peace are mutually exclusive

China warns that "Taiwan independence and peace" are "mutually exclusive" scenarios. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, quoted by ANSA, said in the daily briefing that the "joint sword sharpening exercises" of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, which began on Saturday and should end today, aiming to "surround the island", are "a severe warning to the secessionist forces of Taiwan and their collusion with external forces", as well as "necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity". Beijing considers Taipei an "inalienable" part of its territory.

This was stated by the Chinese government, declaring that the Shandong aircraft carrier has been mobilized. "Multiple batches of H-6K fighters with live ammunition have carried out several waves of simulated attacks on important targets on the island of Taiwan," the Eastern Theater Command of China's military said in a statement, quoted by Rai news, adding that Shandong also "participated in today's exercise". The maneuvers were decided in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting in California with Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the United States House. The exercises drew condemnation from Taipei and calls for restraint from Washington, which said it was "closely monitoring Beijing's actions". Dubbed "Joint Sword," the three-day exercise - which includes rehearsals of an encirclement of Taiwan - will conclude today, the Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command said. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that it detected 11 Chinese warships and 59 aircraft around the island on the third day of war exercises by Beijing.