Defense ministry warns the DPP authorities that U.S. weapons cannot save them

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Monday urged the United States to stop its military collusion with China's Taiwan region in any form.

Responding to a media query about the U.S. transporting a new batch of M1A2 tanks to China's Taiwan with plans to increase its arms sales to the region over the next four years, Jiang Bin, the spokesperson, said it is another solid piece of evidence that the U.S. side and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are making efforts to violate China's core interests, change the status quo across the Taiwan Straits and escalate regional tensions.

"Who is making provocations despite strong opposition from the Chinese side? Who is undermining cross-Straits stability and repeatedly stirring up trouble? We believe we all know the answer," Jiang said, expressing China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this act.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Jiang said.

"We urge the U.S. side to stop its military collusion with Taiwan in any form. Otherwise, it will get burned for playing with fire and gain more harm than good. We warn the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that U.S. weapons cannot save them, and soliciting external support for 'Taiwan independence' is doomed to fail," Jiang warned.

The People's Liberation Army will continue to strengthen its military training and combat readiness and enhance its ability to fight and win, he said.

China will take resolute measures to thwart "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, Jiang said.