Beijing: Taiwan missions to protect sovereignty

China's recent increase in military exercises and warplane missions near Taiwan — which have raised concerns around the region — were necessary to defend the nation's sovereignty and territory, a Chinese official said Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Cabinet's Taiwan Affairs Office Ma Xiaoguang said the purpose of the maneuvers was to "fundamentally safeguard the overall interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."

Ma blamed actions by Taiwan's independence-leaning democratically elected government and its relations with "external forces" for heightening tensions.

The PLA flew 56 planes off the southwest coast of Taiwan on a single day earlier this month, setting a new record and capping four days of sustained pressure involving 149 flights.

All were in international airspace, but raised fears that any misstep could provoke an unintended escalation.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday vowed to defend the island from China's rising pressure after a week of unprecedented tensions with Beijing.

Ma said Tsai's speech "incited confrontation, cut apart history, distorted facts, and used the so-called 'consensus and unity' as an excuse to try to manipulate Taiwan's public opinion".

Taiwan views China's moves as advertising its threat to bring the island it claims as its own territory under its control by military means as necessary.

The sides split amid civil war in 1949. Outside observers say they intend to degrade Taiwan's physical defense capabilities through wear and tear, while turning the citizenry against their leaders through a form of psychological warfare.

Taiwan, a close U.S. ally, has scrambled jets to intercept the Chinese aircraft and activated its missile air defense systems. It is also in the process of boosting its defenses with purchases of new technology from the U.S. and the development of domestic systems, including submarines.

Tsai's comments came a day after Chinese leader Xi Jinping said annexing Taiwan "must be realized", while saying that was best brought about by peaceful means.

However, he added that, "No one should underestimate the Chinese people's strong determination, will and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."