China: China has launched air and sea drills around Taiwan to send a “stern warning.” This comes following a recent visit by Taiwan’s Vice President, Mr. William Lai, to the United States.
Taiwan has responded, saying the drills emphasised Beijing’s “militaristic mentality” that combat aircraft, naval ships, and land-based missile systems had been tasked with monitoring Chinese forces.
The Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, responsible for the Taiwan region, issued a brief statement on Saturday announcing joint naval and air combat readiness patrols in the vicinity of Taiwan.
The eastern command explained that the exercises primarily centred on improving coordination between ships and aircraft to assess the ability to establish control over air and sea territories as well as to evaluate combat capabilities.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the operation included missile-equipped vessels and fighter jets, with units collaborating to simulate a situation where Taiwan is surrounded.
Taiwan’s defence ministry promptly criticised the exercises, stating that it had deployed suitable forces to react and possessed the capability, resolve, and confidence to safeguard national security.
“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 stated.
The ministry later confirmed the participation of 42 Chinese aircraft and eight ships in the exercises, with 26 aircraft crossing the previously unofficial median line that separates the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has responded by deploying combat aircraft, land-based missile systems, and naval vessels to monitor the drills, as announced on its social media.
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