The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Thursday organized naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in sea and air spaces around Chinese territorial waters off Huangyan Dao, the PLA Southern Theater Command announced in a statement on Thursday.

The troops have continuously enhanced alert patrols in the region since November to strengthen control and management of relevant area, resolutely defend national sovereignty security, and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.

The crux of the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism lies entirely with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, according to State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua on Friday. 

The claim from Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" ignores facts, shifts blame, seeks to evade responsibility and attempts to mislead the public, which is unpopular and does not help restore normal tourism between the two sides, Chen said in response to the claim that "the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism exchanges are on the mainland side."

As early as May 2023, the mainland announced the resumption of group tours from the island of Taiwan. In April and August of this year, arrangements were made for mainland residents' travel to Kinmen, Matsu, and Taiwan island for group tours, Chen said.

Since 2020, the DPP authorities have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to prohibit residents from the mainland from traveling to the island of Taiwan and halted the operations of travel agencies on the island that organize group tours to the mainland. Up to today, the DPP authorities still disregard the calls from Taiwan island's tourism industry and residents, refusing to lift the "ban on group tours to the mainland," according to Chen.

Chen emphasizes once again if the DPP authorities lift the ban on group tours and eliminate barriers to cross-Straits exchanges, the mainland will actively explore expanding tourism for mainland residents to Taiwan.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that China firmly opposes baseless accusations and scapegoating, as well as political manipulation, when asked to comment on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's criticism over China providing military aid to Russia on Sunday.

Baerbock is scheduled to visit China on Monday and Tuesday. 

"Regarding the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to China, we will release relevant information in due course. You may stay tuned for updates," Lin noted, adding that China has already articulated its position on the Ukraine crisis multiple times.