The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stated that the government will not accept interference or criticism from other countries and is committed to strengthening national defense and safeguarding democracy and freedom. This comes as the annual Han Kuang military exercise draws sharp criticism from China’s Foreign Ministry.
China’s Foreign Minsitry has labeled the Han Kuang exercise as an attempt to “seek independence by force.” President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) comments on national identity were also condemned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office as the "true face of Taiwan independence." Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry says that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office should revisit President Lai's speech for clarity rather than distorting its content.
China claims the tension in the Taiwan Strait is due to provocations by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, allegedly backed by external forces, and has accused Taiwan of "seeking independence by force" and "resisting reunification by force.” To this, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) said that it is China's frequent military exercises around Taiwan that are the real cause of regional tension and international concern.