1 in 2 Chinese planes conducted military drills over the weekend, practicing attacking targets in Taiwan. — Photo: Portal via BBC Chinese planes held military drills over the weekend and practiced strikes on targets in Taiwan. — Photo: Portal via BBC
China held between Saturday (8) and Sunday (9) Military precision exercises simulating an attack to major destinations in Taiwan.
Tsai Ingwen, who has been President of Taiwan for 15 years, is on a tour of the Americas to boost Taiwan’s international standing at a time when tensions between Taipei and Beijing have reached levels seen in decades no longer gave.
But China responded to that trip by launching a series of military training sessions simulating an attack on the island, which China regards as its territory but has its own administration.
Taiwan said about 70 Chinese planes flew around the island on Sunday (9). Eleven Chinese ships were also sighted. On Saturday, Taiwan said 45 warplanes had crossed the unofficial ChinaTaiwan border.
The operation, dubbed the “Common Sword” by Beijing, will continue until Monday (10th). Taiwanese officials were angry about the military drills.
On Saturday, defense officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using President Tsai’s visit to the United States as “an excuse to conduct military exercises that seriously undermine peace, stability and security in the region.”
2 of 2 The President of Taiwan began visiting the United States and meeting with American officials, infuriating the Chinese government. — Photo: Getty Images via BBC The President of Taiwan began visiting the United States and meeting with American officials, infuriating the Chinese government. — Photo: Getty Images via BBC
the military operation
On the first day of exercises, one of the Chinese ships fired a bullet while sailing near Pingtan Island, the closest Chinese point to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Board, which runs the Coast Guard, released a video showing one of its ships chasing a Chinese warship, but without giving the location.
In the footage, a sailor can be heard saying over the radio to the Chinese ship, “You are seriously undermining the peace, stability and security of the region. Please turn around and leave immediately. If this continues, we will take remedial action.
Other images showed a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, escorting the Coast Guard vessel.
Chinese drills ended at sunset on Saturday, but defense officials in Taipei said fighter jet flights resumed Sunday morning.
US Response US State Department officials urged China not to take advantage of President Tsai’s visit to the US, calling for “restraint and no change in the status quo.”
A State Department spokesman said the US government is “closely monitoring Beijing’s actions” and insisted the US has “sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security obligations.”
The US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979, but is required by law to provide Taiwan with means of selfdefense.
US President Joe Biden has said on numerous occasions that the US would intervene should China attack the island.
At the meeting in California on Wednesday, Tsai thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for America’s “unwavering support” and said it helps “reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone.”
McCarthy had originally planned to go to Taiwan in person but opted to hold the meeting in California to avoid tensions with China.
Chinese state media said the military drills, due to run through Monday, “will simultaneously organize patrols and advances around the island of Taiwan, forming a full encirclement and deterrent posture.”
It added that “longrange missile artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, blockers and tankers” have all been used in training the Chinese military.
But in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, residents did not seem shaken by China’s latest moves.
“I think a lot of Taiwanese are used to it, it’s like, here we go again!” said Jim Tsai on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Michael Chuang said, “You [China] seem to enjoy circling Taiwan as if it were their own. I’ve gotten used to it now.”
“If they invade, we won’t be able to escape anyway. Let’s see what the future brings.”
The Taiwan Controversy Taiwan’s status has been ambiguous since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War tipped in favor of the Chinese Communist Party and the former Chinese government withdrew to the island.
Since then, Taiwan has considered itself a sovereign state with its own constitution and leadership.
China sees it as a renegade province that must submit to Beijing’s control by force if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that “reunification” with Taiwan “must be achieved.”