Taiwan's Han Kuang exercise dubbed 'bluffing, self-deceiving' trick

China's Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday that the upcoming Han Kuang military exercise held by Taiwan regional authorities is "nothing but bluffing and self-deceiving".

Jiang Bin, a spokesman for the ministry, made the remarks in an online news briefing in response to the Han Kuang-41 live-troop exercise to be conducted by Taiwan's military starting Wednesday.

According to local reports, the exercise will focus on subjects like the "response to gray-zone harassment", joint anti-landing operations and resilient defense on the island. In addition, many United States-made weapons will reportedly make their debut during the exercise.

Jiang said that the Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick played by the island's Democratic Progressive Party authorities to hijack Taiwan compatriots on board its "Taiwan Independence" war chariot.

"The DPP authorities are harming Taiwan out of selfish interests," he noted.

"We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that seeking 'independence' by force is a dead end," said the spokesman.

Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the People's Liberation Army's resolute countermeasures against "Taiwan Independence" would not be deterred, Jiang said.

"Nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China's national reunification be stopped," he stressed.