The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and brooks no external interference, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a media inquiry, noting that "we are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and the greatest effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures."

"If the Taiwan secessionists provoke, exert pressure, or even dare to cross the red line, we will have no choice but to take decisive measures. The Chinese People's Liberation Army is on standby at all times, ready to fight at any time, and certain to win, resolutely crushing any attempts at 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference," the spokesperson warned.