Mainland warns DPP attempt to seek 'independence' by force is doomed to fail

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun warned on Friday that any attempt by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities to seeking "independence" by force is doomed to fail.

His comments came as Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te on Thursday ordered "defense and security units" to step up their monitoring and intelligence efforts in response to so-called military activities from the Chinese mainland, which Lai said have not abated even as tensions rise in the Middle East.

The DPP authorities are attempting to exploit trending issues for political gain, Guo said at a daily news briefing.

"No matter what they say or do, they cannot alter the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can they change the irreversible historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification," he said.

In another development, regarding People's Liberation Army aircraft operations near Taiwan, Guo reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China respects the right of lawful navigation by all countries in relevant waters of the Taiwan Strait, but firmly opposes any country using 'freedom of navigation' as a pretext for provocations that threaten China's sovereignty and security," he added.