The defense ministry said on Monday that joint drills launched by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command served as a stern warning to separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence" and to external interference.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to media reports that the "Justice Mission 2025" drills were related to the recent US announcement of a large arms sales plan to Taiwan.

"We urge relevant countries to abandon the illusion of using Taiwan to contain China, and to refrain from challenging China's resolve in safeguarding its core interests," Zhang said, who also warned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities that any attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by relying on external forces is doomed to fail.

The PLA will continue taking measures to fight secession and external interference to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he added.

In Florida, US President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about the military drills around Taiwan.

"I have a great relationship with President Xi. And he hasn't told me anything about it. I certainly have seen it," Trump told reporters when asked about the exercises.

Asked if the drills worried him, he replied: "No, nothing worries me."

"They've been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area. Now people take it a little bit differently."

Meanwhile, the Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary that Taiwan has been "colluding" with the United States with massive purchases of US arms – including a recent package totalling US$11 billion – against the interests of the island's people.

"For years, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan have obstinately attempted to seek US support for their separatist agenda, recklessly turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg'," Xinhua wrote.

"By currying favor with the United States through obsequious loyalty gestures and promoting arms purchases, the DPP is binding the entire island of Taiwan to its catastrophic secessionist chariot, disregarding public opinion," it added.

The commentary further noted that Taiwan was the largest buyer of US weapons from 2020 to 2022, and that the island's military spending for 2026 is budgeted at 3.32 of its regional GDP – a record high since 2009.

"By squandering the island's public wealth and colluding with external forces to drain its resources, the DPP authorities are imposing a long-term burden on people's livelihoods and jeopardising the development prospects of Taiwan," it said.

"US arms sales to Taiwan offer no protective shield for the island; they serve merely as a cash machine for US arms dealers." (Xinhua/ AFP)
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Last updated: 2025-12-30 HKT 07:23