President Xi Jinping on Friday inspected the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison stationed in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the inspection after attending a gathering in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland.

On Friday afternoon, Xi reviewed the troops and met with representatives of the military personnel.

He urged the military personnel to enhance defense capabilities in all aspects and contribute more to breaking new ground in the practice of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics.

Over the past 25 years, the troops have played a vital role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability, Xi noted.

Highlighting the need to unwaveringly uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, Xi stressed efforts to comprehensively strengthen military discipline and maintain high levels of unity, security and stability in the armed forces.

Cai Qi and other officials attended the activities.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2024/1221/c90000-20256926.html

China says US is ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan

The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.”

U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and says must come under its control. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

U.S. military sales and assistance aim to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack.

The $571 million in military assistance comes on top of Biden’s authorization of $567 million for the same purposes in late September. The military sales include $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a post on X that it reaffirmed the U.S. government’s “commitment to our defense.”