U.S. using Taiwan as 'pawn', says spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday said that the United States always prioritizes its own interests, and Taiwan is merely a "pawn" used to contain the Chinese mainland's development.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to recent statement made by Chiu Kuo-cheng, head of Taiwan's defense authority, regarding the increase of the frequency of precision ammunition shooting drills in response to the mainland and the increase in the rotation of U.S. military personnel assigned to Taiwan.

Chen said that this development once again proved that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' claims of seeking peace are false, and their true intention of "seeking independence through military means" is real.

"By closely aligning with the U.S. to carry out so-called military training programs, the DPP is gradually pushing the people of Taiwan into crisis," he said.

Chen said that while the U.S. claimed to support Taiwan, its actions are leading to the destruction of Taiwan.

He warned the DPP authorities that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible.

"Any attempt to seek 'independence' through military means or rely on external forces for 'independence' will only lead to danger and ultimately result in self-destruction for Taiwan," he added.