The Chinese military announced the launch of three-day “combat readiness patrols” as a warning to Taiwanese who seek to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. The People’s Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might repeat previous exercises with sea-fired missiles, which disrupted shipping and airline flights.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen in California on Thursday, including a series of foreign lawmakers who met with Tsai to show support in the face of the Chinese threat. Beijing responded on Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against US groups and individuals linked to Tsai’s trip to the US.
Eight warships and 71 aircraft were detected near Taiwan on Saturday, 45 of which flew across the center line of the strait that separates it from the mainland, the island’s defense ministry said. It said that these include Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 jet fighters.
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China issues ‘serious warning’ to Taiwan with military drills after Tsai Ing-wen’s US visit
Also on Saturday, the Navy plans to conduct “live fire training” at Luoyuan Bay in Fujian province opposite Taiwan, the local maritime authority announced. The ships were banned during the firing, which was scheduled to take place on five dates over the next two weeks. ,
Taiwan broke away from China in 1949 after a civil war. The ruling Communist Party says the island is bound to rejoin the mainland if necessary. Beijing says contact with foreign officials emboldens Taiwanese who want formal independence, a move the ruling party says would lead to war.
“This is a solemn warning against collusion and provocation between Taiwan independence separatist forces and outside forces,” a PLA statement said. The “Joint Sword” exercise “safeguards national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
According to The Global Times, a newspaper published by the Communist Party, plans were also to include a destroyer, missile boats, ballistic missiles and land-based anti-ship missiles, as well as early warning, electronic warfare and tanker aircraft. has been invoked. ,
Taiwan’s military said a missile defense system had been activated and air and sea patrols had been dispatched to track the Chinese planes.
“We condemn such an irrational act that has put regional security and stability at risk,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
chinese president Xi JinpingThe U.S. government has stepped up efforts to intimidate the island by flying nearby fighters and bombers and firing missiles into the sea.
The United States has no official ties with Taiwan, a center of high-tech industry and one of the largest global traders, but maintains extensive informal and commercial ties. Washington is required by federal law to ensure the island of 22 million people has the means to defend itself in the event of an attack by China.
Military analysts suggest that a possible Chinese strategy in the event of an attack is to try to pressure Taiwan into surrender by blocking sea and air traffic, preventing the United States, Japan or other allies from intervening or sending supplies .
On Saturday, the PLA was testing its ability to dominate the sea, air and information and “create conditions of resistance and suppression”, said mainland newspaper The China Daily.
Taiwan and the mainland have trade and investment ties worth billions of dollars but no official ties.
“We will not leave room for separatist activities in any form for Taiwan’s independence and will definitely do our best to defeat any foreign interference,” Zhu Fenglian, spokesman for the cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told Xinhua news agency. Will take firm steps.”
“There must be a complete reunification of our country and it can be realized without a doubt,” Zhu was quoted as saying on Friday.