A Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday that the drills recently conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Taiwan Straits are necessary to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference, adding that the drills were targeted at the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external forces' interference.
The purpose of the drills is to fundamentally safeguard the interests of the Chinese nation and the people on both sides of the strait, Ma said.
