China firmly opposes any military collusion between US, Taiwan region: spokesman

China firmly oppose any forms of military collusion between the U.S. and the Taiwan region, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday in a press briefing in Beijing.

The remarks came in response to Taiwan's "Han Kuang 41 military exercise", to which the U.S. side dispatched more than 400 observers, including active and retired military officers.

"The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, which brooks no foreign interference. We firmly oppose any forms of military collusion between the U.S. and the Taiwan region. We warn the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) authorities that those acting as others’ chess pieces are bound to be discarded, and that soliciting U.S. support for 'Taiwan independence' and resisting reunification with force will not succeed," said Zhang.

China firmly opposes any military collusion between US, Taiwan region: spokesman

A powerful winter storm swept through Toronto and surrounding areas on Thursday, causing school closures and travel delays as heavy snowfall reduced visibility and affected transportation services.

Meteorological authorities warned that heavy snowfall would greatly reduce visibility, while local transportation officials reported that several roads had been completely closed and major surface transit routes were operating at reduced speeds due to the storm.

Toronto Pearson International Airport officials announced Thursday that air traffic control measures had been implemented due to severe weather, affecting several inbound and outbound flights. Meanwhile, several local school boards in Toronto fully suspended classes, while others enacted partial closures in response to the storm.

Winter storm slams Toronto, closes schools, disrupts traffic