Breaking silence on possible drills, China says will not be soft on Taiwan independence activities

Joe Cash - Reuters - 13/12
China's defence ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was up to China to decide whether or not to hold drills and the military would "not be absent" in fighting against separatist forces.
  • China neither denies nor confirms has carried out drills
  • China says will 'not be absent' in combating separatism
  • Taiwan reports decreased Chinese military activity
BEIJING/TAIPEI, Dec 13 (Reuters) - China's defence ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was up to China to decide whether or not to hold drills and the military would "not be absent" in fighting against separatist forces.
Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday went on the alert and activated an emergency response centre after reporting a large rise in Chinese military activity, both around the island and more broadly in the East and South China Seas.
China's military had made no announcement about any drills taking place. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory - a claim rejected by the government in Taipei which says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
In a statement responding to a question on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent visits to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam and whether or not China has held drills, China's defence ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial, though quoted from ancient Chinese military tactician Sun Tzu.
"Just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions," the ministry said, an expression of Sun's that means war conditions are...
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