Author: Ethan Connell
Contributing Researchers: Nathan Stolzenfeld
Here’s the first edition of the TSM PRC State Media Tracker. Each Friday, we highlight key excerpts from China’s state media organs, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Taiwan Affairs Office, all below!
Ministry of National Defense Statement on “T-Dome” and Plans to Increase Taiwanese Defense Spending
17 October 2025
Zhang Xiaogang: Lai Ching-te’s remarks distort historical facts and international legal principles. He is once again peddling the worn-out fallacy of “Taiwan independence,” dressing it up in new forms to curry favor with external forces while deceiving the people of Taiwan and provoking cross-strait confrontation. This once again proves that he is a thorough “destroyer of peace” and a “troublemaker,” exposing his malicious intent to sell out, harm, and ruin Taiwan.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, disregarding the livelihood and well-being of the people on the island, are recklessly rushing down the wrong path of militarism, deluding themselves that the illusory “Shield of Taiwan” can boost their morale. In doing so, they are only accelerating Taiwan’s slide toward the peril of war and becoming the source of chaos and instability in the Taiwan Strait. We sternly warn the DPP authorities: attempts to seek independence by relying on external forces are doomed to fail, and using force to resist reunification leads nowhere. The People’s Liberation Army remains a powerful force, unshakable in its mission to defend the nation’s unity, and will continue to enhance its real-combat capabilities against separatism and external interference—resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Ministry of National Defense Statement on China-related Provisions in the Senate-passed NDAA
17 October 2025
Zhang Xiaogang: The negative China-related provisions in the U.S. bill constitute a blatant interference in China’s internal affairs, undermine China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and jeopardize world peace and stability. We firmly oppose this. The Taiwan question is the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China–U.S. relations. The U.S. playing the “Taiwan card” is tantamount to playing with fire—arming Taiwan is a dangerous gamble that will inevitably come at a heavy cost.
We urge the United States to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, to honor its commitment not to support “Taiwan independence,” to stop sending the wrong signals to separatist forces, and to cease all forms of military contact with China’s Taiwan region, so as to avoid damaging relations between the two countries and their militaries, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Ministry of National Defense Statement on China-related Provisions in the Senate-passed NDAA
17 October 2025
Zhang Xiaogang: The negative China-related provisions in the U.S. bill constitute a blatant interference in China’s internal affairs, undermine China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and jeopardize world peace and stability. We firmly oppose this. The Taiwan question is the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China–U.S. relations. The U.S. playing the “Taiwan card” is tantamount to playing with fire—arming Taiwan is a dangerous gamble that will inevitably come at a heavy cost.
We urge the United States to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, to honor its commitment not to support “Taiwan independence,” to stop sending the wrong signals to separatist forces, and to cease all forms of military contact with China’s Taiwan region, so as to avoid damaging relations between the two countries and their militaries, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.