China responds to US leader's remarks regarding military drills around Taiwan Island

BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing military drills by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army around Taiwan Island is a punitive and deterrent action against separatist forces who seek "Taiwan independence" through military buildup, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a related query about recent comments by a U.S. leader regarding the drills, code-named "Justice Mission 2025" starting from Monday.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the relevant military drills are a "necessary move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Lin added.