China began early Thursday following the inauguration of new President Lai Ching-te.
China’s military conducted mock strikes with dozens of fighter jets carrying live missiles in targeted areas during a Taiwan military drill
In the past, Beijing has called Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to the region.
What China said about the drills around Taiwan
The stated the drills involve the army, navy, air force, and rocket force in the Taiwan Strait and around Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin Islands.
The mock strikes also involved dozens of fighter jets carrying live missiles, and targeted high-value military assets, including ships and warplanes, Chinese military Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Naval Colonel Li Xi told CCTV.
The exercises, which will last until Friday, focus on joint sea-air combat readiness, precision strikes, and integrated operations to test real combat capabilities, Chinese state media Xinhua reported.
Li said the drills are a “strong punishment” for “separatist acts” three days after Lai was sworn in. He also called the drills ” against the interference and provocation by external forces,” Xinhua reported.
Chinese state media published a map showing five drill zones around Taiwan, but outside its contiguous zone.
Although the drills are short-term, their scope is significant, aiming to demonstrate and deter foreign intervention, experts said.
“The political signals here are greater than the military ones,” Su Tzu-yun, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research, said.
How has Taiwan reacted to the Chinese drills?
Taiwan said it has to in response to Beijing’s moves.
Taipei also condemned the drills, emphasizing its determination to defend its sovereignty.
The self-ruled island’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that it “strongly condemned such and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”
The Defense Ministry’s statement said that “all officers and soldiers of the armed forces are prepared,” adding, “We uphold the strong will of ‘preparing for war, not asking for war, responding to war, and not avoiding war.’”
The president’s office called the drills “regrettable” and a threat to Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.
“In the face of external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend democracy,” presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement.
US calls drill ‘concerning’
The United States, an ally of Taiwan, called the drills
US Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, the US Indo-Pacific Command deputy commander, called out for other’s nations to condemn China’s belligerence.
Sklenka added that “conflict between our two nations (the US and China) is not inevitable, and
Beijing-Taipei relations frayed
Taipei’s relations with Beijing have as China has increased pressure on the democratic island, raising periodic concerns about a potential invasion.
China sees democratic Taiwan as its territory and has maintained that the use of force to bring the island under its control is not off the table.
Beijing had previously rebuffed President Lai’s attempts at dialogue and increased military activities near Taiwan since his election win in January.
on Monday, Lai vowed to defend the island’s democracy as he called on China to end its military intimidation of the self-ruled island.
He urged Beijing to “share with Taiwan the global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait… and ensure the world is free from the fear of war.”
ss/jsi (AFP, Reuters)
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