A Chinese defense spokesman on Sunday criticized Lai Ching-te's pursuit of "Taiwan independence" through force and reliance on external forces, saying such moves had once again exposed Lai as a "troublemaker for Taiwan".

Chen Xi, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to Lai's speech on Saturday. He stressed that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China.

Reiterating that this remains the real status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Chen accused Lai of playing up the so-called "mainland military threat" and inciting confrontation across the Strait in his speech. He described Lai as a "source of disaster for peace".

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In his speech, Lai claimed that the mainland has continued to use military actions to "pressure Taiwan and change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait", while advocating increased "defense" spending and strengthened "whole-of-society defense resilience".

Chen said that in recent years, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, for their own party interests, have pursued "Taiwan independence" and opposed reunification, while currying favor with external forces and seeking their support.

He criticized the DPP authorities for promoting the so-called "whole-of-society mobilization", turning the island into a battlefield and tying people in Taiwan to the "Taiwan independence" war chariot, which he said undermined stability across the Taiwan Strait and harmed Taiwan's future.

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"The Chinese People's Liberation Army's regular exercises and training activities around Taiwan are intended to deter 'Taiwan independence' separatist moves and attempts at external interference, and to safeguard the safety and well-being of Taiwan residents," Chen said, adding that these actions are justified.

Chen said that "Taiwan independence" is fundamentally incompatible with peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, urging Taiwan compatriots to recognize the risks and harm of the Lai authorities' persistent separatist pursuit.

"National reunification is the prevailing trend, a matter of justice and the shared aspiration of the people," he said.