China toughens language

Beijing: China toughened its language towards Taiwan last night, warning after recent military activities near the island that ‘‘independence means war’’.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend.

Asked yesterday about the air force’s recent activities, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said ‘‘the military activities carried out by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait are necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national sovereignty and security’’.

‘‘They are a solemn response to external interference and provocations by ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.’’

The Chinese incursions coincided with a US carrier battle group entering the disputed South China Sea to promote ‘‘freedom of the seas’’. — Reuters