PLA to defeat attempts at Taiwan secession, external interference: spokesman

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will resolutely fight separatist forces aimed at Taiwan secession and oppose external interference, a military spokesperson said on Tuesday in Beijing.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Armed Police Force delegation to the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress, made these remarks on the sidelines of the session in response to Taiwan-related content in the draft Government Work Report.

"Reunification is the right course and an overriding historical trend, while Taiwan secession is a dead end that runs against the tide. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' attempt to seek Taiwan secession through military buildup and soliciting foreign support will only push Taiwan towards the peril of military conflict. They are the biggest perpetrators, the ones responsible for disrupting the cross-Strait status quo and the roots of all threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Zhang said.

"What people in Taiwan want most is to enjoy a peaceful life, but not to be tied to a chariot and end up being cannon fodder. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should join hands to oppose Taiwan secession and external interference, jointly build a bright future for national reunification, and share the pride of national rejuvenation," he said.

"We will strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is directed solely at the few Taiwan secessionists and their separatist activities and interference by external forces. Its purpose is to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The PLA will intensify training and combat readiness, enhance the capability to fight and win, resolutely thwart any attempts at secession or external interference, and firmly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he said.

PLA to defeat attempts at Taiwan secession, external interference: spokesman

PLA to defeat attempts at Taiwan secession, external interference: spokesman

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday presided over a State Council executive meeting that studied work on building a unified national market and reviewed and approved a plan for the development of a modern emergency response system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Noting that building a unified national market is essential to advancing high-quality development, the meeting called for deepening institutional frameworks in areas such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, social credit and market exit mechanisms.

The meeting also urged efforts to advance high-standard connectivity of market infrastructure to facilitate smooth economic circulation and effectively reduce logistics costs across society.

Emergency management is critical to protecting people's lives and property, the meeting said. It called for accelerating the development of a modern emergency response system, deepening reform and innovation in emergency management, and improving coordinated response mechanisms.

Efforts should be made to strengthen risk prevention at the source, enhance monitoring, forecasting and early warning, and accelerate a shift in governance toward proactive prevention, according to the meeting.

A draft revision of the Law on the People's Bank of China was also discussed and approved in principle at the meeting, which decided to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.

Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting