A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for clinging to the United States, seeking secession by banking on external forces and building up military capabilities.

This has led to tensions across the Taiwan Strait and posed a serious threat to the safety and well-being of the people on the island, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Zhu made the remarks in response to a media query about the DPP authorities creating panic by issuing missile alerts during their military drills and asking temples to consent to the use of their facilities for weapon storage.

The DPP authorities are splashing out the hard-earned money of the Taiwan people on U.S. arms, tying Taiwan onto their war chariot, and turning people on the island into victims of their secessionist agenda, said the spokesperson.

An increasing number of people on the island have expressed strong opposition and discontent, noted Zhu, urging the DPP authorities to abandon their attempts and stop leading Taiwan toward conflict and war.