'Taiwan independence' undermining cross-Strait peace: spokesman

A Chinese defense spokesman said on Saturday that recent military operations of the People's Liberation Army around Taiwan island are fully justified and reasonable, stressing that "Taiwan independence" is the main culprit undermining peace across the Strait.

Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin made the remarks at an online news briefing regarding recent PLA operations in the Strait.

According to media reports, the PLA recently organized naval and air forces to conduct joint combat-readiness patrols around the island, while main combat vessel formations entered waters southwest of Penghu.

Some analysts claimed that the increased number of PLA vessels and aircraft crossing the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait may be related to recent visits by senior Taiwan politicians.

Jiang said Taiwan is part of China, and there is no such thing as a "median line" in the Taiwan Strait.

The PLA's military operations in relevant areas are fully justified and reasonable, he said.

"Taiwan independence" is the main culprit undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait, and China will never tolerate or condone it, Jiang said.

The PLA will continue to take concrete actions to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he added.