There is no help: China threatened total destruction

He pointed out that it was directed at the interference of "external forces" and a very small number of Taiwanese separatists, and not the majority of the population of the Chinese island, reports Reuters.

"No matter how many soldiers Taiwan has and how many weapons it acquires, and no matter whether outside powers intervene or not, if (Taiwan) dares to take risks, it will lead to its destruction," Chen added.

The spokesman pointed out that China is always ready to take actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Chinese state media reported today that President Xi Jinping arrived the previous day on Dongshan Island in China's Fujian Province, where China repelled an invasion attempt by the Taiwanese army in 1953.

Xi was on the island to be briefed on efforts to revitalize villages and "transmit red genes and strengthen cultural heritage protection," the official People's Daily newspaper said, citing the Communist Party's color.

The Chinese President called on officials from Fujian to promote cross-strait cultural exchange and "strengthen the ethnic, cultural and national identity of Taiwanese compatriots," according to the Xinhua news agency.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei earlier today, Director-General of Taiwan's National Security Bureau Tsai Ming-yen said China's drills had the opposite effect given the international condemnation they drew, particularly from Washington.

"The military exercise by the Chinese Communists created a negative effect because it made the international community more supportive of Taiwan," he said. Taiwan regional president Lai Ching-te said in a speech last week that China had no right to represent Taiwan, but the island was willing to cooperate with the government in Beijing to fight challenges such as climate change as a sign of goodwill. Chen, on the other hand, denied the claims, stating that there was "no good intention" in Lai's offer. On Monday, China's military opened up the possibility of additional exercises around the Taiwan region depending on the level of alleged provocations. In a report sent to lawmakers, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, Taiwan's regional defense ministry said China was trying to legitimize the use of force against Taipei, undermine military morale and "deplete the military's combat power".

"In response to the seriousness of the enemy threat, the military continues to maintain a high level of readiness and is making every effort to improve training and readiness," the statement said.

Earlier today, in its daily update on Chinese activities over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Defense in Taipei said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft and five naval ships around Taiwan.

In the past five years, China has sent warships and warplanes near the island almost every day, writes Reuters.