China breaks silence on drills, says it will not be soft on Taiwan independence

Island had gone on the alert after reporting a large rise in Chinese military activity

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BEIJING/TAIPEI - China's Defence Ministry on Dec 13 broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying that it was up to China to decide whether to hold drills, and that the military would "not be absent" in fighting against separatist forces.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry on Dec 9 went on the alert and activated an emergency response centre after reporting a large rise in Chinese military activity, both around the island and more broadly in the East China and South China seas.

China's military had made no announcement about any drills taking place. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory - a claim rejected by the government in Taipei, which says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

In a statement responding to a question on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent visits to Hawaii and the US territory of Guam, and whether China has held drills, China's Defence Ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial, though it quoted from ancient Chinese military tactician Sun Tzu.