The Manila Times
Date: April 14, 2018
By: Global Times

The Chinese mainland is firmly against “Taiwan independence,” Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Friday when asked if the planned drill on the Taiwan Straits is targeting “Taiwan independence.”

“We would like to reaffirm that we have strong determination, confidence and capability to destroy any type of ‘Taiwan independence’ scheme in order to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ma said.

Fujian Maritime Safety Administration announced on Thursday the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct live-fire drills on the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday.

The announcement came after China’s Central Military Commission held the country’s largest ever maritime military parade in the South China Sea on Thursday, which for the first time featured the country’s aircraft carrier strike group and the PLA’s most advanced weaponry.    [FULL  STORY]