China said it was “rattling its guns” for Taiwan's authorities, not the island's people

Beijing assures that its rattling its guns around Taiwan is addressed only to the Taiwanese authorities, not to the people of the island, and calls on "compatriots of Taiwan" to unite with mainlanders for the sake of national reunification.

This was stated by the spokeswoman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China Zhu Fengliang, Ukrinform reports with reference to the department's announcement.

“If elements of Taiwan's independence do not stop their provocations, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) will continue its actions to unswervingly protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhu said, commenting on the PLA's military exercises around Taiwan “Joint Sword-2024A”. (Joint Sword-2024A) 23 – May 24. 

She emphasized that these maneuvers of the Chinese army were "resolute punishment for the provocative statements of the leader of the Taiwan region" Laya Chinte, delivered on Monday, May 20, during his inaugural address.

"These exercises are also a stern warning to external forces that support Taiwan's independence and interfere in China's internal affairs," the spokeswoman added.

According to her, the mainland has never will not tolerate or leave any room for activities aimed at Taiwan independence carried out by its leadership, but Beijing's threats are not directed against the islanders.

"All countermeasures are directed against separatist activities and external interference, not against compatriots Taiwan. We call on Taiwan's compatriots to firmly stand on the right side of history, unite with mainlanders and oppose Taiwan's independence for the bright future of national reunification and revival, Zhu said.

We note that similar statements by representatives of the Chinese government are far from the real attitude of Taiwanese people towards the prospect of establishing Beijing's authority over the island and their full support for Taiwan's independence.

Taiwan is a democratically governed island whose highest authorities – president and parliament – are elected by universal suffrage, so the configuration of power reflects the sentiments of the majority of Taiwanese. 

Since 2016, candidates from the Democratic Progressive Party, which supports the island's independence, have won presidential elections and international recognition. Instead, political forces loyal to Beijing, even with large-scale open and covert support from China, are losing voters' votes with every show of will.