During a routine press conference on October 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed several inquiries, starting with a question about the “Joint Sword-2024B” exercises conducted by the Eastern Theater Command.
Mao reiterated that the push for Taiwan independence is fundamentally incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that provocations from pro-independence forces will inevitably face countermeasures. He noted, “China is fully committed to maintaining regional peace and stability, which is evident to countries in the region. If one truly cares about the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the first step must be to oppose Taiwan independence.”
Another reporter inquired about the U.S. State Department’s expressed concerns regarding the military exercises. In response, Mao stated, “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, and the Taiwan issue is a matter of China’s internal affairs, free from any foreign interference. If the U.S. genuinely values peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait, it should adhere to the One China principle and the three joint communiqués between China and the U.S. It must also ensure that its leaders uphold their commitment not to support Taiwan independence, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and refrain from sending any misleading signals to separatist forces.”
