Zhang Xiaogang Photo:mod.gov.cn

In response to recent US media reports hyping the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will "attack" the island of Taiwan in three steps, while claiming a so-called "optimal time" and "optimal landing sites" for the attack, a Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesperson said on Thursday that the futile attempts made by certain media outlets to speculate about the PLA's operations and maliciously peddle "war anxiety" will only undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

US media outlets have recently hyped that the PLA will "attack" the island of Taiwan in three steps, outlining a so-called "optimal time" and "optimal landing sites" for the attack. Meanwhile, details recently exposed from a classified US Department of Defense report claimed that the Chinese mainland is "capable of destroying advanced US weapons before they reach Taiwan," which would mean that the US is no longer able to "defend Taiwan." 

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the MND, noted that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair that brooks no external interference. 

"We are ready to make the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures," Zhang said. 

"If 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces provoke us to the limit or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute countermeasures," the spokesperson added, "the PLA stands ready for combat at all times, is capable of fighting at any moment, and will prevail in every battle. We will resolutely smash any plots of 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference."

Global Times