Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian on Friday answered questions from reporters regarding the joint military drills surrounding the island of Taiwan, conducted by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Wu stated that the drills are aimed at countering the arrogance of "Taiwan independence" and deterring external forces from interfering. Every provocation of "Taiwan independence" prompts us to advance our countermeasures one step further until the complete reunification of the motherland is achieved, he warned.