On Thursday, China criticized Taiwan for hosting a U.S. defense industry forum, accusing the island nation of inviting "wolves" into their home. The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, in partnership

with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, is organizing the Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum, which will take place in Taipei next week. The forum aims to foster cooperation between U.S. and Taiwanese companies.

China's defense ministry spokesperson, Tan Kefei, expressed "extreme concern" about the event during a monthly press briefing, stating that the U.S. military-industrial complex seeks to "export wars and seek windfall profits." Tan went on to say that Taiwan's ruling party is "bringing wolves into the home," and that this practice is "repugnant" and will lead to disaster for Taiwanese citizens.

China has been increasing its military presence around Taiwan in an effort to coerce the island into accepting Beijing's sovereignty. These activities have included conducting military drills this month. The Taiwan government rejects China's territorial claims and maintains that only the people of Taiwan can determine their own future. Photo b yHeeheemalu, Wikimedia commons.