China will not renounce the use of force against Taiwan, Beijing’s government said after a new round of wargames and a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the site of a famous victory for Taiwanese troops.

China, which considers democratically-governed Taiwan to be its territory, held a large-scale drill around the island Monday. It said that this was a warning against “separatist actions” in response to last week’s National Day speech by Taiwan President Lai Ching Te.

Chen Binhua (China’s Taiwan Affairs Office) told a Beijing press conference that “we are willing to strive with utmost honesty and endeavour for the prospect peaceful reunification.”

He said, “But we won’t ever commit to giving up the use of violence.”

Chen explained that the intention is to target the “external powers” and a very small group of Taiwan separatists rather than the majority of Taiwanese. Taiwan maintains close, though unofficial, relations with the United States and its allies, which is a major supplier of arms.

He added: “No matter how much Taiwan invests in troops and weapons, or whether external forces are involved, if Taiwan takes risks, this will only lead to its destruction.”

“Our actions in defense of national sovereignty and territorial integration will not stop for a second.”

Chinese state media reported that President Xi arrived on Dongshan Island in China’s Fujian Province, which borders Taiwan, the day before. In 1953 China defeated an invasion attempt from Taiwan-based military on this island.

After losing a civil conflict with Mao Zedong, the defeated Republic of China fled to Taiwan. There has never been an armistice or a peace treaty.

The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China, said that Xi visited the island in order to learn more about the efforts being made to revitalize the countryside. It also referred to “passing down red genes” and strengthening cultural heritage protection.

According to Xinhua, he urged officials in Fujian to encourage cross-strait exchanges and “enhance ethnic, cultural, and national identities of Taiwan compatriots.”

‘NEGATIVE EFFECT’

Taiwan’s government rejects China’s claims of sovereignty, saying that only the island’s citizens can decide its future.

Tsai, the Director-General of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, told reporters in Taipei on Wednesday that China’s drills have backfired, given international condemnation, particularly from Washington.

He said that the Chinese communists’ military exercise had a negative impact in that it increased support for Taiwan amongst the international community.

Lai said in his speech on 10 October that China had no right to represent Taiwan. However, the island was willing and ready to work with Beijing’s government to tackle challenges such as climate change. Taiwan officials described this tone of both firmness and conciliation as a sign of goodwill.

Chen, the Chinese spokeswoman, said Lai had remained “stubborn in his separatist position”.

Chen stated that there was “no goodwill” to speak of.

Lai has offered to talk with China on numerous occasions, but was rejected.

China’s military said Monday that it could conduct more drills in Taiwan if “provocation” is increased.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a report sent to lawmakers and reviewed by Reuters that China is trying to legitimize the use of force to suppress military morale, as well as “deplete military combat power”.

The statement said that “in response to the seriousness of the enemy threat the military continues to maintain high levels of vigilance, and makes every effort to improve preparation and training.”

China has been sending warships and planes to the skies and waters around Taiwan almost every day for the last five years.

In its daily report on Chinese activity in the past 24 hours, Taiwanese defence ministry reported that it detected 22 Chinese military aircraft as well as five navy vessels around Taiwan.