China's military is staying silent on its recent activity around Taiwan

BEIJING (AP) — China's military kept silent Friday on its large deployment of naval and coast guard ships off Taiwan this week, with its top spokesperson quoting an ancient strategist instead.

Taiwanese officials have said that China was simulating a blockade with one string of ships off the island and a second one farther out at sea, in waters between Japan's Okinawa islands and the northern Philippines.

The Chinese Defense Ministry's first public comment on the activity was essentially a no comment.

Wu Qian, the ministry's top spokesperson, included a famous quote from “The Art of War,” an ancient Chinese text on warfare strategy, in his remarks. The quote says military tactics adapt to changing conditions, just as flowing water does.