China stepped up “punitive” military drills around Taiwan on Friday, staging mock missile and bombing attacks on the island as well as mock attacks on foreign ships that may come to Taiwan’s rescue.
The Chinese fighter jets taking part in the exercise were apparently equipped with live missiles.
of first day China’s military drills, which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) described as “punishment” for Taiwan’s election of “separatist” President Lai Ching-te, were less provocative. There was plenty of bellicose rhetoric from Beijing, but Taiwanese officials said the PLA was not doing anything it hadn’t done before and that the drills were not as large-scale as Taiwan’s. Military tantrums China reacted negatively to former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President-elect Lai Ching-te addresses supporters during a rally in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 13, 2024. (Annabel Chi/Getty Images)
The second day of the latest exercise More provocativeChinese bombers flew in attack formations and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships practiced seizing Taiwan-controlled islands off China’s coast.
Taiwanese security officials said the People’s Liberation Army Navy also conducted drills near Taiwan in attacking foreign ships and using coast guard vessels to harass civilian boats.
The People’s Liberation Army released an animated video on Friday showing Chinese missiles destroying the Taiwanese cities of Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hualien — a slogan that would burn to death in a real attack — and calls Chinese missiles “sacred weapons that kill independence,” a slogan the PLA seems to like.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said on Friday it had monitored 49 Chinese military aircraft, 19 People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and seven Coast Guard vessels, a significantly smaller exercise than the 2022 one that took place after Pelosi’s visit.
Chinese officials insisted the exercise was legitimate “law enforcement” training.
“As soon as Taiwan’s leaders took office, they challenged the ‘one China’ principle and blatantly promoted the ‘two states’ approach.” Enraged The China Taiwan Affairs Office is headed by President Lai Chang-yong. Inaugural Address.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said angrily: Rejected US Advises Restraint Around Taiwan:
The United States is in no position to blame China. The tensions in the Taiwan Strait are being caused by the DPP. [Democratic Progressive Party] Attempts by authorities to seek US support for Taiwanese independence and attempts by some in the US to use Taiwan to contain China in the name of regional peace and stability.
“Those who condone and support Taiwan independence are playing with fire and will be burned at the stake. Nothing can stop China from firmly upholding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Wang fumed. “We will do whatever is necessary to thwart any attempt at Taiwan independence.”
