Taiwan concerns China warns

(RT) ⸻ Taiwan should be on the lookout for the Chinese military's possible actions in areas adjacent to the self-governing island during 2023, according to its Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng. Chiu claimed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) may find a "certain pretext" this year to make a "sudden entry" into a zone contiguous to Taiwan and get close to what it considers its territorial waters. He also noted that Taiwan has made preparations to "fire the first shot" should PLA entities, including drones or balloons, enter its territorial space. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded by saying that the island is part of China and has no defense minister. Beijing has significantly ramped up its military activities around the island in recent months. China's leadership has made it clear that a military option is not off the table for the "reunification" of Taiwan with the mainland. In August of last year, US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi paid an official visit to the island, prompting Beijing to respond with unprecedented military exercises. On Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reiterated Beijing's commitment to oppose "Taiwan independence". The US State Department gave the green light to the sale of $619 million worth of weapons and ammunition to Taipei, including F-16 fighter jets and various types of missiles. Taiwan has been de-facto independent since 1949 and enjoys close ties with the US.