A China mobilized planes and ships this Monday 14th to surround Taiwan as a “warning”, announced Beijing, in its most recent military exercises aimed at the self-governing island that it considers part of its territory.
The exercises, called Joint Sword 2024B, “test the joint operational capabilities of troops,” the Chinese Defense Ministry said.
O president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-tepromised that the “government will continue to protect the democratic and free constitutional system, safeguarding national security”.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned China’s “irrational and provocative behavior” and said it “has sent appropriate forces to respond accordingly, to protect freedom and democracy and defend sovereignty.”. The peripheral islands of its territory are on “maximum alert”, he highlighted in a statement.
The United States government also condemned the maneuvers, which it called an “unjustifiable movement with a risk of escalation”.
The maneuvers take place in “areas to the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan”, announced Captain Li Xi, spokesman for the Chinese army’s eastern command.
The exercises focus on topics such as “surveillance in preparation for air and sea combat, the blockade of ports and key areas”, as well as training in “attacking sea and land targets”, explained Li.
The Chinese government highlighted that it ordered the maneuvers to send a “firm warning to the separatist acts of the Taiwanese independence forces.”.
Correspondents of AFP near the Hsinchu air base, northern Taiwan, they observed the takeoff of six combat planes this Monday.
According to state media, China sent fighter jets and military ships to maneuver around Taiwan.
Chinese ‘inspections’
The Chinese Coast Guard was also sent to carry out “inspections” around the island. Images released by the institution show four fleets surrounding Taiwan.
The Taiwan Coast Guard said it observed four Chinese Coast Guard formations. The vessels carried out patrols around the island but did not enter its restricted waters.
The maneuvers come just days after the Taiwanese president announced his commitment to “resist Chinese annexation”.
This Monday, Lai Ching-te called a security meeting with high-ranking officials to discuss the response to the “Chinese military threat,” said Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council.
Wu highlighted that Chinese maneuvers are “inconsistent with international law” and that they required advance warning.
Lai, who assumed the presidency in May, has spoken openly about defending Taiwanese sovereignty, which has angered Beijing, which considers him a “separatist”.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard announced this Monday that a Chinese citizen was detained after a possible “intrusion” on Kinmen, an island near the Chinese city of Xiamen, but did not link the case to military maneuvers.
China has in recent years intensified its military activities around Taiwan, with the deployment of warplanes and other military aircraft, while its vessels maintain an almost constant presence in the island’s waters.
Beijing does not rule out the use of force to take control of the democratically governed island.
‘Disaster’
Lieutenant Colonel Fu Zhengnan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, said in a video shown on state television that the maneuvers could “turn from training to combat at any time.”
In his speech on Thursday last week, President Lai pledged to “resist the annexation” of the island and insisted that Beijing and Taipei “are not subordinate to each other.”
In response, the China warned on the same day that Lai’s “provocations” will cause a “disaster” for its population.
Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party defends the sovereignty and democracy of Taiwan, which has its own government, military and currency.
China seeks to eliminate Taiwan from the international scene, preventing its participation in global forums and removing diplomatic allies from the island.
