“independence means war” in Thursday remarks out of the Defense Ministry. During a monthly press briefing Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian was asked about regional tensions, and he responded by saying that “military activities” in the Taiwan Strait “are necessary actions to address the current security situation”
He then warned in a repeat of past foreign ministry and PLA leadership statements:
“Those who play with fire will burn themselves, and ‘Taiwan independence’ means war.”
Taiwan Air Force Mirage-2000 fighter jets taxi during prior military drills, via Reuters.
On Monday Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian slammed the nearby US military movements, saying “It does no good to regional peace and stability for the United States to frequently send military vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea to show off muscles.”