East Asia|China began its two-day military drills early Thursday, surrounding Taiwan’s navy with ships and military aircraft.
China is testing the ability of its armed forces to seize power on the island in its military exercises around Taiwan, says a representative of the Chinese armed forces, according to the country’s state media. A representative of the armed forces Li Xin the exercises also test the ability to control key areas and joint strikes of different branches of the armed forces.
China began its two-day military drills early Thursday, surrounding Taiwan’s navy with ships and military aircraft.
On Thursday, Li described the military exercises as a strong punishment for separatist activities by the Taiwan Independence Forces. According to Li, the military exercises are at the same time a stern warning to foreign countries not to interfere in the region’s affairs.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also characterized the military exercises as a serious warning to Taiwan’s independence supporters.
Representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin in turn, declared in his strongly worded warning on Thursday that the blood of the Taiwan independence forces is flowing.
of Taiwan the defense ministry said on thursday that the military exercises around the island are a senseless provocation. The ministry said it strongly condemned the military exercises and characterized China’s actions as undermining peace and stability in the region.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that it had dispatched naval, air and ground forces to respond to the situation and defend Taiwan’s freedom, democracy and sovereignty.
The UN has called on all parties to avoid escalating the situation. The United States, one of Taiwan’s most important allies and supporters, on the other hand, called for moderation from China in its actions.
According to Chinese state media, military exercises are being held in the Taiwan Strait and in the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan.
China began its military exercises just three days after Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te took office. In a speech on Thursday, Lai said he would stand on the front lines to defend Taiwan.
China considers the democratically governed Taiwan to be part of its territory and has described President Lai as a dangerous separatist, among other things.
In his inauguration speech on Monday, President Lai praised Taiwan’s democracy and thanked the island’s people for not allowing external forces to sway them, but for resolutely defending democracy.
On Tuesday, China harshly criticized Lai’s inauguration speech. According to China, the speech meant in practice the recognition of Taiwan’s independence.
China has organized several large-scale military exercises in recent years. China’s actions around Taiwan have occasionally raised concerns about a possible invasion.
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