BEIJING, China: In recent days, China has intensified its military exercises near Taiwan, clarifying that these actions are targeted at countering what they perceive as the “arrogance” of separatist forces.
This statement came from the Chinese government after Taiwan reported a significant uptick in military activities in the region, including land-based exercises facing the island.
Taiwan, a region claimed by China as its own territory, expressed concerns this month regarding the escalating military presence, noting the presence of dozens of fighters, drones, bombers, warships, and the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong operating nearby.
The growing frequency of China’s military movements has heightened the risk of unintended clashes, warned Taiwan’s defense minister, underscoring the need for caution. When questioned during a regular news briefing in Beijing about the surge in Chinese drills and Taiwan’s anxieties about increased risk, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman, Zhu Fenglian, explained that the People’s Liberation Army had conducted a “series” of drills with the specific purpose of combatting Taiwan independence separatist forces and their efforts toward independence.
“The provocation of Taiwan independence continues incessantly, and the People’s Liberation Army remains committed to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she emphasized, urging Taiwanese compatriots to discern between right and wrong, reject Taiwan independence, and collaborate to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Although China’s armed forces haven’t explicitly commented on these drills, they’ve been occurring concurrently with the disappearance of Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu from public view, amid reports of a corruption investigation. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s democratically elected government asserts that only the people of the island can determine their future, persistently offering talks with China, despite China’s consistent rejections.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported further Chinese military movements, with 16 Chinese aircraft detected and responded to within the island’s air defense identification zone in the previous 24 hours. Notably, 12 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan strait, an unofficial boundary that China began regularly crossing in August of the previous year.
Moreover, Taiwan is set to launch the first of eight domestically manufactured submarines as part of its efforts to bolster defenses against China. Responding to inquiries about these submarines, Zhu cautioned that attempts by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party to “seek independence with force” would escalate tensions and potentially endanger the Taiwanese people.
Last week, Taiwan’s defense ministry took the unusual step of disclosing its monitoring of Chinese drills in Fujian province, situated opposite Taiwan. Typically, Taiwan only provides details on drills occurring in the skies and waters around the island. A senior Taiwan official involved in regional security planning revealed to Reuters that this information was released to demonstrate Taiwan’s surveillance and intelligence capabilities, underscoring their readiness to address any emerging challenges.
The ongoing military drills and increasing tensions emphasize the need for open communication and diplomacy between China and Taiwan to prevent accidental escalations and ensure peace and stability in the region.
