China says Taiwan independence “doomed to fail”

China on Tuesday vowed efforts towards Taiwan independence were "doomed to fail" as it conducted massive military drills around the self-ruled island.

"(Taiwan) authorities' stubborn persistence with the Taiwan independence stance and their futile attempt to split the country from outside by seeking independence is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; it is doomed to fail," foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing.