The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has recently organized real-combat military training around China's Taiwan Island, confirmed a defense ministry spokesperson on Thursday.

Speaking at a routine press conference in Beijing, Senior Col. Wu Qian told reporters that the move "is to further enhance the navy's capability in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity" in the face of secessionist activities by the "Taiwan independence" forces, which, he said, "pose the greatest realistic threat to peace and stability of cross-Straits relations and damage the interests of the Taiwan people."

According to multiple reports, military forces of Taiwan have carried out maritime and air exercises recently, during which the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen boarded one of the vessels. Taiwan also says it will carry out its annual Han Kuang drills later this month.

Some are speculating that the action from Taiwan is aimed against efforts from the Chinese mainland.

"'Taiwan independence' activities are destined to fail, and any attempt to resist reunification by the use of force would go nowhere," Wu declared.

He said that the message sent by the PLA on this issue has been clear and consistent. "We have strong resolve, full confidence and enough capability to defeat any secessionist attempt, and will do our best to resolutely safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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