Lines unilaterally set by Taiwan illegal and invalid: Defense Spokesperson

BEIJING, Nov. 24 -- The so-called baseline or other demarcation lines unilaterally set up by Taiwan are illegal and invalid, said a Chinese defense spokesperson at a regular press conference on Thursday.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the claim recently made by the head of Taiwan's defense authority and the PLA's CNS Xiamen's rebuttal on the so-called 24 nautical-mile baseline to Taiwan's warship Ma Kong.

"I want to give ship Xiamen a thumb-up for its response," said Snr. Col. Wu, noting that the so-called baseline or other demarcation lines unilaterally set up by Taiwan are illegal and invalid. Neither will they change the fact that Taiwan belongs to China, nor can they stop the PLA from defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"As for the clamor of some officials of the Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities who have ridiculously overrated themselves, I would like to warn them that if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the PLA will take resolute measures to crush the unscrupulous plots," said the spokesperson.