The People's Liberation Army is confident and capable of crushing any fantasies of "Taiwan independence", a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday, in response to a recent speech by Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te.

The ministry's spokesman Jiang Bin made these remarks rebutting the fourth part of the so-called "ten lectures on unity" delivered by Lai on July 1.

Lai's speech hyped up the "Chinese mainland military threat", advocated for an increased "national defense" budget, and urged the Taiwan military to "fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu".

The spokesman Jiang questioned: "Taiwan is a province of China, so how can there be a 'national defense' budget?" He criticized Lai for distorting history and concepts to disguise his "Taiwan independence" agenda with carefully crafted lies.

"Lai exaggerated the 'mainland threat', creating security anxieties, and manipulating public opinion in Taiwan," Jiang said, noting that the island leader aimed to militarize Taiwan society and entangle the region's future in the geopolitical games of external forces.

Lai's call to fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu was essentially a battle for the Democratic Progressive Party's interests and for "Taiwan independence", the spokesman said, highlighting that the speech attempted to mislead the people of Taiwan onto a path of "using force to resist reunification, and betray and destroying Taiwan".

Jiang emphasized that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and that Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu are sacred Chinese territories, with compatriots on both sides being Chinese.

He warned that the more vigorously figures like Lai pursue their agenda, the quicker their demise will be, underscoring that armed forces supporting "Taiwan independence" will only meet their end alongside them.

The PLA is confident and capable of shattering any "Taiwan independence" fantasies, resolutely defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the military official warned.