Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesman of the command, was quoted by the state-run China Daily as saying that the United Kingdom is “carrying out a meaningless display of presence with an insidious intention." He added that the action “has damaged peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and exposed the U.K.'s opportunistic attitude.” “The theater command will remain on high alert and would adamantly take actions in response to any acts of threats and provocations,” Shi said.
China has been conducting exercises around Taiwan and Chinese military aircraft are making regular incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.