A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday criticized Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te, accusing him of "kowtowing to the United States" and recklessly pursuing militarization, and calling him "a pure destroyer of peace and an instigator of war."

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to recent comments by politicians in Taiwan, including Lai.

Lai said in a recent media interview that Taiwan must "seek peace through strength," reaffirmed what he described as a "rock-solid" relationship with the United States, and outlined plans to push forward a $40 billion arms procurement.

Zhang said the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan are colluding with external forces to pursue "Taiwan independence," which he described as the root cause of rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Lai's unprincipled submission to the United States and his reckless pursuit of militarization have turned him into nothing more than a pure destroyer of peace and an instigator of war, Zhang said.

Zhang added that Lai has the audacity to speak of "peace" while boasting about "strength," a stance Zhang described as delusional and self-deceiving.

"The trend toward national reunification is unstoppable," Zhang said. "Those who betray the nation and seek to split the country will ultimately be condemned by history."