The "Han Kuang exercise" conducted by Taiwan's Lai Ching-te-led authorities is just a piece of playacting, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Wednesday, in commenting on the recent holding of the exercise by the military of the Taiwan island.
It was reported during the 41st "Han Kuang exercise", typhoon-affected Taiwan residents had requested the military to assist in disaster relief, to which Lai replied "you can't rely on the military for everything", claiming that the military was occupied with the exercise.
Commenting on Lai's remarks at a press conference in Beijing, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, the Ministry of National Defense spokesman, said, "The 'Han Kuang exercise' is just a piece of playacting. In the face of disasters, the Lai Ching-te authorities turned a blind eye to the hardships of the people, but were busy playing a game of bluff. They are bound to be spurned by the public."
"Han Kuang exercise" a piece of playacting: spokesman
Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.
As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.
Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.
A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.
Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.
"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.
Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal
