BEIJING, Dec. 13 -- "The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will decide whether and when to conduct military exercises in accordance with the needs and the situation on the ground," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian on Friday, when answering a media inquiry regarding the statement of Taiwan's defense authorities and whether the PLA will conduct military exercise.
Recently, the leader of the Taiwan region Lai Cheng-te transited through Hawaii and the Guam. The Chinese PLA has not announced any information about whether or not there will be military exercises. And Taiwan's defense authorities claimed that the mainland has implemented restrictive measures on coastal airspace and the number of warships deployed around Taiwan is bigger than ever before, and that Taiwan's military has established an "Emergency Operations Center" to closely monitor the PLA's actions and will stay on high alert.
In response to that, Senior Colonel Wu noted that it is the PLA's lofty mission to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and defend the shared interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait. As water has no constant form, there are in warfare no constant conditions. The PLA will decide whether and when to conduct military exercises in accordance with the needs and the situation on the ground.
"Whether there is a military exercise or not, the PLA will never be absent or hesitant in fighting 'Taiwan independence' and promoting national reunification. Any attempt to split the nation through soliciting external support or resorting to force will be punished and doomed to fail," stressed the spokesperson.