TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese aggression toward Taiwan will inevitably fail, the Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.

China is mirroring the path of past aggressors, which will lead to ruin, as World War II has demonstrated, the defense ministry said in a statement. Beijing's escalating military threats in the Indo-Pacific and globally reveal a hegemonic mindset, the ministry said.

The Chinese military announced it was conducting a joint live-fire exercise on Wednesday off the coast of southern Taiwan without prior warning. It sent 32 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan. 

Of these, 22 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern and southeastern areas of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. Taiwan sent naval, air, and coastal forces to keep tabs on PLA activities

Taiwan is “dedicated to building defense capabilities and preparing for battle” to protect national sovereignty and safeguard democracy and freedom, the ministry said. This is in stark contrast to a brutal military force that ignores international norms and endangers aviation and maritime safety, it said.

The defense ministry reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to freedom and democracy. It also emphasized that any attempt to change the status quo would be opposed by Taiwanese and urged Beijing to “face reality” about Taiwan's sovereignty.