China slams U.S. military provocation concerning Taiwan

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Any military provocation by the United States will not change the fact that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.

Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang also said that on the contrary, such U.S. actions expose its hypocrisy and double standards to the international community, and bolster the resolve and will of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and realize national reunification.

Zhang made the remarks when commenting on a recent joint statement by U.S. and Japanese leaders, as well as the transit of two U.S. Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait.

He noted that the People's Liberation Army will continue to strengthen combat readiness, resolutely fight against secession and foreign interference, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.