02:05Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the existence of a Taiwanese defence ministry during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday after Chinese military drills around the island raised criticism from Taipei officials.
"Taiwan is a province of China. There is no so-called 'defence ministry' or 'defence minister' of Taiwan," he said. "Taiwan is part of China's territory. It is just normal for China's aircraft carrier to carry out relevant activities."
This comes after 125 aircraft, the Liaoning aircraft carrier and other ships of the Chinese army held drills around Taiwan, dubbed the 'Joint Sword-2024B' military exercises, earlier this month. Beijing said that the drills would act as a 'warning' to 'separatists'.
The exercises kicked off after Taiwan's National Day celebration on October 10, when President Lai Ching-te highlighted that Taiwan 'is not subordinate' to China, adding that it 'has no right to represent Taiwan.'
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence condemned the drills, describing them as 'provocative actions' and stating that an actual 'blockade' on the island would constitute an 'act of war'. The Ministry also stated that Taiwan would deploy 'appropriate forces' to 'respond' and 'defend its national sovereignty.'
United States officials also denounced the exercise, with Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder calling them 'irresponsible,' 'disproportionate' and 'destabilising.'
"Let me stress that whatever the Taiwan authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Nor can they change the trend that the two sides of the Strait will and must be reunited," Lin said.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'One China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US and its allies argue the strait falls under international waters and is a vital trade route.
When asked about the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Lin said that China is "deeply concerned over the escalated turmoil in the Middle East, opposes the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions in the region.
"We hope that relevant sides will return to the track of political settlement as early as possible and settle differences and disputes through communication and dialogue to cool down the regional situation as soon as possible," he continued.
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month. Lebanon's Ministry of Health stated that over 2,400 people have been killed at time of publication.
The current escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began last month with explosions of wireless communications devices used by Hezbollah, which killed dozens and injured thousands. The sides have exchanged cross-border strikes since the outbreak of the 2023 Gaza war.
'There is no so-called 'defence ministry' of Taiwan' - China MOFA as Taiwanese officials claim blockade on island would be 'act of war'
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the existence of a Taiwanese defence ministry during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday after Chinese military drills around the island raised criticism from Taipei officials.
"Taiwan is a province of China. There is no so-called 'defence ministry' or 'defence minister' of Taiwan," he said. "Taiwan is part of China's territory. It is just normal for China's aircraft carrier to carry out relevant activities."
This comes after 125 aircraft, the Liaoning aircraft carrier and other ships of the Chinese army held drills around Taiwan, dubbed the 'Joint Sword-2024B' military exercises, earlier this month. Beijing said that the drills would act as a 'warning' to 'separatists'.
The exercises kicked off after Taiwan's National Day celebration on October 10, when President Lai Ching-te highlighted that Taiwan 'is not subordinate' to China, adding that it 'has no right to represent Taiwan.'
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence condemned the drills, describing them as 'provocative actions' and stating that an actual 'blockade' on the island would constitute an 'act of war'. The Ministry also stated that Taiwan would deploy 'appropriate forces' to 'respond' and 'defend its national sovereignty.'
United States officials also denounced the exercise, with Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder calling them 'irresponsible,' 'disproportionate' and 'destabilising.'
"Let me stress that whatever the Taiwan authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Nor can they change the trend that the two sides of the Strait will and must be reunited," Lin said.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'One China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US and its allies argue the strait falls under international waters and is a vital trade route.
When asked about the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Lin said that China is "deeply concerned over the escalated turmoil in the Middle East, opposes the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions in the region.
"We hope that relevant sides will return to the track of political settlement as early as possible and settle differences and disputes through communication and dialogue to cool down the regional situation as soon as possible," he continued.
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month. Lebanon's Ministry of Health stated that over 2,400 people have been killed at time of publication.
The current escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began last month with explosions of wireless communications devices used by Hezbollah, which killed dozens and injured thousands. The sides have exchanged cross-border strikes since the outbreak of the 2023 Gaza war.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the existence of a Taiwanese defence ministry during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday after Chinese military drills around the island raised criticism from Taipei officials.
"Taiwan is a province of China. There is no so-called 'defence ministry' or 'defence minister' of Taiwan," he said. "Taiwan is part of China's territory. It is just normal for China's aircraft carrier to carry out relevant activities."
This comes after 125 aircraft, the Liaoning aircraft carrier and other ships of the Chinese army held drills around Taiwan, dubbed the 'Joint Sword-2024B' military exercises, earlier this month. Beijing said that the drills would act as a 'warning' to 'separatists'.
The exercises kicked off after Taiwan's National Day celebration on October 10, when President Lai Ching-te highlighted that Taiwan 'is not subordinate' to China, adding that it 'has no right to represent Taiwan.'
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence condemned the drills, describing them as 'provocative actions' and stating that an actual 'blockade' on the island would constitute an 'act of war'. The Ministry also stated that Taiwan would deploy 'appropriate forces' to 'respond' and 'defend its national sovereignty.'
United States officials also denounced the exercise, with Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder calling them 'irresponsible,' 'disproportionate' and 'destabilising.'
"Let me stress that whatever the Taiwan authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Nor can they change the trend that the two sides of the Strait will and must be reunited," Lin said.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'One China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US and its allies argue the strait falls under international waters and is a vital trade route.
When asked about the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Lin said that China is "deeply concerned over the escalated turmoil in the Middle East, opposes the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions in the region.
"We hope that relevant sides will return to the track of political settlement as early as possible and settle differences and disputes through communication and dialogue to cool down the regional situation as soon as possible," he continued.
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month. Lebanon's Ministry of Health stated that over 2,400 people have been killed at time of publication.
The current escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began last month with explosions of wireless communications devices used by Hezbollah, which killed dozens and injured thousands. The sides have exchanged cross-border strikes since the outbreak of the 2023 Gaza war.