Mainland warns of 'catastrophic consequences' for Taiwan separatist forces to provoke conflict

If Taiwan separatist forces dare to provoke a conflict or war, they will inevitably face "catastrophic disasters," a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Tuesday.

Jiang Bin, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing when responding to a media inquiry about the concept of "preemptive strike" against the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) once proposed by Taiwan authorities' defense department. "From previously pushing for the deployment of weapons to launching so-called 'preemptive strikes,' Taiwan secession separatists have become increasingly presumptuous with absurd ideas. Faced with the overwhelming strength of the PLA, any Taiwan separatist force that dares to provoke a conflict or war will inevitably face catastrophic disasters," he said.

Mainland warns of 'catastrophic consequences' for Taiwan separatist forces to provoke conflict

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

He made the remarks in response to a media query about Cuba's ongoing fuel shortage crisis, which is expected to last until March 11 and has led to the suspension of international flights to the Caribbean nation.

"So far we have not received any report of Chinese citizens stranded in Cuba. China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and opposing external interference. China stands firmly against the inhumane actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development. China will, as always, do our best to provide support and assistance to Cuba," said Lin.

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty, security: FM spokesman