Zhu Fenglian, the spokeswoman of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, has issued a statement regarding the recent increase in Chinese military operations near Taiwan. She said, “The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence. The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People’s Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing.” Last week over 200 Chinese warplanes and numerous naval ships approached Taiwan with many of the warplanes crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan’s vice president and frontrunner in the upcoming January elections William Lai said, “China’s attempts to annex Taiwan have not changed.” Lai in the past has spoken in favor of Taiwan independence but also says that he doesn’t seek to change the status quo.
