TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The two days of Chinese military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan interfered with regional stability and would only lead to Taiwan and China growing further apart, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Thursday (May 23).

The exercises, announced Thursday morning, came only days after the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). China condemned his inaugural speech as a sign he would promote Taiwan's independence.

In a statement, the opposition TPP rejected any disruption and interference by China, per CNA. Beijing should stop its threats and call off behavior that is damaging to cross-strait stability, the party said.

Taiwan needs to face threats and challenges as a resilient society, while the government should make clear how it would respond to China, according to the TPP. The opposition party stood by its policy of promoting interaction with China to reduce the possibility of misunderstandings.