Taipei: Just three days after the new President took office in Taiwan, China launched military exercises around this self-governing democratic island nation today in an apparent move to intimidate the incoming government there.
As soon as Chinese exercises began this morning, Taiwan took reciprocative measures, scrambling fighter jets and putting on high alert its missile, naval and land units.
China claims that Taiwan is a part of its territory and hence does not recognize the government of the small island.
For long, it has been pushing for “re-unification of Taiwan with the Chinese mainland” and talking about use of force to achieve the goal.
China has said its two-day exercises around Taiwan, involving air and sea wings of the military, were meant to be a strong punishment for separatist forces seeking independence.
The Chinese military has said its drills, codenamed Joint Sword-2024A, is focusing on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets.
The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, and the North, South and East of Taiwan Island, as well as areas around the Islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.
Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin are all Taiwan-controlled territories in the Taiwan Strait close to China’s southeast coast.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry termed the Chinese military exercise as an “irrational provocation” and said it was closely monitoring the exercises.
It said it was taking response measures with its sea, air and ground troops, as it stands ready to safeguard Taiwan’s security.
“We have the capacity and confidence to ensure our security and defend our sovereignty. At the same time, we call for the international community to condemn PRC’s irrational action,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Significantly, Taiwan recently tested a new land-launched missile as part of its air defence system.
The new missile is part of Taiwan’s efforts to enhance a layered defense system similar to the one used by Israel.
Taiwan’s new President William Lai Ching-te took office on May 20 after winning an election.
Following the new President’s inaugural address, China said the speech was an attempt to promote Taiwanese independence.
It said Lai’s speech contained “separatist fallacies” and was an attempt to “incite division” among the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
