The joint military drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command around the Taiwan Island on Monday have served as a stern warning against the separatist forces in Taiwan and external interference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing on Monday in Beijing.
When asked about whether the drills are targeted at the recent 11-plus-billion-U.S.-dollar arms sales to Taiwan by the U.S., Lin said the joint drills have emphasized that any provocations undermining China's sovereignty will be met with resolute countermeasures.
"The spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command has already released information regarding the relevant military exercises. The military exercises conducted by the PLA serve as a severe punitive deterrence to separatist forces in Taiwan who are attempting to split Taiwan from China by force, and a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Lin.
"Let me stress that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan have stubbornly adhered to their stance of splitting Taiwan from China and sought support from the United States even at the cost of turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg' and an 'ammunition depot'. This fully exposes their sinister nature as 'peace disruptors,' 'troublemakers,' and 'war instigators.' External forces' attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and arm the region will only embolden the arrogance of the separatist forces in Taiwan and push the Taiwan Strait into a perilous situation," said Lin.
"The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests. China's resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is unwavering. Any egregious provocation that crosses the line on the Taiwan question will inevitably face resolute countermeasures from China, and no ill intentions to obstruct China's reunification will ever succeed," Lin added.
PLA's joint drills serve as stern warning against Taiwan separatist forces: FM spokesman
PLA's joint drills serve as stern warning against Taiwan separatist forces: FM spokesman
The Arab League convened an emergency meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Sunday, strongly condemning Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and stressing the importance of upholding security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial unity.
Somaliland is an unalienable part of Somalia, said the league in a released statement, adding that Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is invalid, illegal, unacceptable, and seriously violates international law.
This move constitutes a blatant interference in Somalia's internal affairs, undermines Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, threatens regional peace and security, and will escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and broader regions, the league said.
The Arab League said it fully supports Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports its adoption of all necessary measures within the framework of the United Nations to address acts of violation.
"We value the fast response from the permanent ambassadors at the Arab League for this urgent meeting. Based on the strong ties that bound the United Arab Emirates with the brotherly Somalia nation, we confirm our unequivocal support to all that support its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial unity," said Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the League of Arab States.
Some international observers said Israel's move is a dangerous precedent that would heighten regional instability and also expose the country's aim to establish a so-called "Greater Israel."
"Israel doesn't want peace and security in the region. That's why it's working on establishing new entities in the region, separating parts of countries from their mainland. That is a huge violation to the UN Charter and international law. This is a dangerous precedent in the world," said Mourad Fathy, a political analyst.
"Israel wants to expand its influence along the Red Sea due to its strategic importance and near the area around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which controls the navigation there. [That] would give it an advantage. Israel wants to set foot in that region. This is part of an Israeli plan that aims at dividing the region, so that the establishment of 'Greater Israel' is possible," said Salah Gomaa, deputy editor in chief at the Middle East News Agency.
On Saturday, Egypt released a joint statement from the foreign ministers of 21 Arab and Islamic states rejecting Israel's move.
So far, more than 20 countries and international organizations have reiterated their support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned Israel for threatening regional and international security.
Israel on Friday recognized Somaliland as an independent state, soon drawing waves of criticism from the international community.
Somaliland declared "independence" from Somalia in the 1990s but has never received recognition from the international community.
Arab League condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state
