China’s defence ministry on Thursday dismissed arch-rival Taiwan launching its first homegrown submarine, saying it is nothing but “a broom attempting to hold back the tide of national reunification.”

China’s defence ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian made the remarks in response to the launch of Taiwan’s submarine as the self-ruled island bolsters its defences against a possible Chinese attack.

Wu said that, no matter how many weapons Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities build or buy, they will not be able to stop the general trend of national reunification or shake the staunch determination, strong will and strong capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is bound to be realised,” Mao Ning, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

Earlier on Thursday, Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine, a major step in a project aimed at strengthening the island’s defence and deterrence against the Chinese navy, though it won’t enter service for another two years.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who initiated the plan when she took office in 2016, showed off the first of eight new submarines on Thursday in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

“In the past, a domestically developed submarine was considered an impossible task. But, today, a submarine designed and manufactured by our country’s people sits before our eyes,” Tsai said, adding that it would play an important role in strengthening the navy’s “asymmetric warfare” capabilities.

“Even if there are risks, and no matter how many challenges there are, Taiwan must take this step and allow the self-reliant national defence policy to grow and flourish on our land,” Tsai added.