In a move perceived as a direct response to Taiwan Vice President William Lai’s recent U.S. visit, China initiated military exercises close to Taiwan, as mentioned by Reuters.
Beijing describes this activity as a firm warning to those advocating for Taiwan’s independence. Such maneuvers have drawn sharp criticism from Taiwan’s government, as cited by the news agency.
China’s People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command confirmed its participation in coordinated naval and aerial patrols around Taiwan. Taiwan’s defense agencies have noted the presence of 42 Chinese aircraft and eight naval vessels in the vicinity.
Remarkably, many of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that has historically kept the two military forces apart, Reuters conveyed.
Detailing the exercises, the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command shared that the focus was on synchronizing naval and aerial operations, asserting dominance, and performing anti-submarine drills to evaluate the combat readiness of their forces. Taiwan’s leaders have expressed their concerns regarding these military actions, as highlighted by Reuters.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for shaping Taiwan’s stance towards China, urged Beijing to refrain from its assertive tactics. They emphasized Taiwan’s sovereign nature, stating, “The Republic of China, Taiwan, stands as a sovereign nation with the full right to engage in regular diplomatic relations with its allies.”
Vice President Lai, seen as a potential winner in the forthcoming January presidential elections, arrived back from the U.S. on Friday. While his main visit was to Paraguay, he utilized his U.S. stopover to discuss pivotal concerns.