‘Heads Broken And Blood Flowing’: China Launches ‘Punishment’ Drills Around Taiwan After Inauguration Of New President

China has launched a series of military drills around Taiwan Thursday as “punishment” for the swearing-in of the island’s new president, Chinese-state media reported.

Lai Ching-te, a member of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won in the island’s presidential elections in January and was inaugurated on May 20. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) initiated joint naval and air drills around the island in an act of intimidation and retaliation for Taiwan’s continued claim to independence.

The “Taiwan question” is one of Beijing’s most sensitive issues. China views Taiwan as a rogue territory that needs to be reunited with the mainland and demands other countries view the issue similarly. Some members of the international community are concerned China will eventually invade Taiwan and take the island by force if it doesn’t surrender peacefully.

“Those like Lai Ching-te have betrayed their nation and ancestors. What they have done is simply disgraceful,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Webin told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday, warning that Taiwanese independent forces “will be left with their heads broken and blood flowing” if they challenge China, according to the Hindustan Times.

“No matter what gimmicks they play, they will not stop China’s complete reunification and Taiwan’s return to the embrace of the motherland,” Wang said. “All ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists will see their names written on the wall of shame.”