In recent news, tensions in the regions near china have escalated due to a series of military exercises conducted by China near the Taiwan Strait. These drills have raised concerns not only in Taiwan but also among the international community, particularly after Taiwan’s visit to the United States.
Taiwan’s Vice President, William Lai, recently visited the United States, China in response, initiated air and sea military drills near Taiwan as a strong message towards separatist groups on the island.
But according to Taiwan’s response on Saturday, they’ve denounced the drills to be a reflection of Beijing’s aggressive military mindset. They reported that combat aircraft, naval ships, and land-based missile systems were employed and deployed to monitor the Chinese forces involved in the exercises.
The Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, which is responsible for the Taiwan area, released a short statement earlier on Saturday explaining that they were conducting joint patrols to maintain naval and air combat readiness around Taiwan.
They stated that the exercises primarily focused on testing the coordination between ships and aircraft, assessing the ability to establish control over air and sea space, and evaluating combat capabilities.
“The patrols and exercises serve as a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations,” a spokesperson for the eastern command told China’s state-run Xinhua news.
A reported from state broadcaster CCTV, records the recent operation to have involved the participation of missile-equipped vessels and fighter jets. These units worked in tandem to simulate a situation where Taiwan was encircled, thereby testing their abilities and strategies in such a scenario.
In response to these drills, Taiwan’s defense ministry promptly expressed their condemnation, emphasizing that they had already deployed appropriate forces to effectively respond to the situation. They further emphasized their unwavering ability, determination, and confidence in safeguarding national security. Rest assured, Taiwan remains fully committed to protecting its sovereignty and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
“The launch of the military exercise this time not only does not help peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait but also highlights [China’s] militaristic mentality,” the ministry said in a statement.
The recent news, recorded that China conducted military drills near Taiwan involving 42 aircraft and 8 ships. What’s more alarming is that 26 of their aircraft crossed an unofficial border in the Taiwan Strait. But in a come-back response, Taiwan deployed their own combat aircraft, missile systems, and naval vessels to keep a close eye on the situation.
Experts had predicted that China would carry out these drills as a way to intimidate Taiwanese voters and create fear before their upcoming presidential election. They saw China’s actions as a means to influence the democratic process and make people worry about the possibility of war. Taiwan, however, remained steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the safety of their people and protecting their borders.
Taiwan Vice President William Lai returned on Friday from a sensitive visit to the United States, a trip China has condemned, the Chinese foreign ministry released a statement expressing their opposition to any visits by what they referred to as “Taiwan independence separatists.” They made it clear that they were against any form of such visits.
“Lai stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of Taiwan independence and is a troublemaker through and through,” the ministry said.
On Saturday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, emphasized that the upcoming elections in Taiwan would be determined by the choice of its citizens, “not the bully next door”, responding to Chinese military drills.
“China should hold its own elections; I’m sure its people would be thrilled,” he wrote on a post he made on Twitter.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to gain control over the democratic and self-governed island. In recent years, Beijing has increased its military activity near Taiwan, citing “collusion” between Taipei and Washington as a reason.
On Saturday, China conducted military drills following a meeting in Maryland where the United States, Japan, and South Korea expressed their concerns over China’s behavior in the South China Sea. In a joint statement, President Joe Biden, President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan emphasized their commitment to regional security, strengthening engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and promoting shared prosperity. They condemned China’s “dangerous and aggressive” actions in the South China Sea.
CONCLUSION
In response to a visit by former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, China conducted extensive military exercises around Taiwan last August.
These maneuvers spanned for six days and included significant displays of China’s military capabilities, such as the deployment of J-20 stealth fighter jets and the testing of conventional missiles.
These actions send a clear signal to Taiwan and the international community about China’s determination to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty. It highlights the tense relationship between China and Taiwan, emphasizing the need for diplomacy and peaceful resolutions to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region.
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