Defense Ministry Warns Against External Military Ties with Taiwan

China News Service reported that China's Ministry of National Defense held a regular press briefing in Beijing, where spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that Taiwan independence is a dead end and outsiders cannot be relied upon, emphasizing that national reunification remains an unstoppable historical trend. The briefing addressed reports citing a Taiwan defense official who indicated that the United States Department of Defense plans to station policy officials long term in Taiwan's defense department, upgrade military coordination to the highest level, and invite United States personnel to observe the Han Kuang exercises. Responding to these reports, Zhang asserted that colluding with external forces and attempting to seek independence by military force represents the source of instability undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait. Zhang stressed that the United States must adhere strictly to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques, handle the Taiwan question with extreme caution, cease all official exchanges and military ties with Taiwan, and protect bilateral and military relations through concrete actions.