The government is committed to safeguarding peace in the Taiwan Strait and defending the nation’s dignity and sovereignty, the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council said April 19.
 
Taiwan will never succumb to mainland China’s saber-rattling or measures aimed at draining capital, expertise and talent, according to the MAC. Beijing must abandon intimidation by force, face the reality that the two sides are under separate governance and pursue pragmatic communication and dialogue, the council said, adding that only then can the two sides resolve differences.
 
The remarks by the MAC came a day after Beijing conducted military drills off the coast of Fujian province in mainland China and deployed aircraft on exercises near Taiwan.
 
Beijing misrepresented the routine, small-scale drills with the aim of manipulating public opinion and furthering its political objectives, according to the MAC.
 
Taiwan rejects mainland China’s deliberate attempts to provoke cross-strait and regional tensions through exerting pressure and harassment, the MAC said. This inexplicable approach by Beijing is counterproductive and undermines peace across the Taiwan Strait, the council added.
 
Such moves by mainland China betray the expectations of the people for the positive development of ties, the MAC said, adding that Taiwan will continue to staunchly defend cross-strait peace. (KWS-E)