July 9 — China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi condemned
Taiwan politician Lai Ching‑te after Lai said Taiwan would continue to increase
foreign arms purchases and pursuit of defense autonomy and following Taiwan navy
moves to establish a coastal operations command. Chen accused Lai of advocating
use of force and relying on foreign support, calling him a ‘‘peace spoiler’’ and
''war instigator,'' and said Lai’s words and actions would not change the
cross‑strait military balance or prevent, in Chen’s words, the country’s
inevitable reunification. Chen urged Taiwan residents to reject independence and
external interference and to help maintain cross-strait peace and stability.
