In retaliation for a meeting between the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the president of an autonomous island democracy that Beijing claims is part of its territory, the Taiwanese government said on Saturday that China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets to Taiwan. said that he had dispatched
The Chinese military has announced the start of a three-day “combat readiness patrol” as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. The People’s Liberation Army gave no indication as to whether a repeat of previous exercises with missiles launched into the sea would be included.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with President Tsai Ing-wen in California on Thursday, joining a string of foreign lawmakers who have met with Tsai to voice support in the face of China’s threats. Beijing responded on Friday by imposing travel bans and financial sanctions on US entities and individuals linked to Tsai’s US visit.
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Eight warships and 71 planes were spotted near Taiwan on Saturday, with 45 of them flying across the centerline of the strait that separates the island from the mainland, the island’s defense ministry said. Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 jet fighters are said to be included.
Also on Saturday, the navy plans to conduct “live fire drills” in Luoyuan Bay in Fujian province, opposite Taiwan, the local maritime bureau said. Ships were barred from entering and exiting during the firing, and firing was scheduled to occur five times in the next two weeks.
Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war. The ruling Communist Party has said the island is obliged to forcefully return to the mainland if necessary. Beijing says contact with foreign officials will encourage Taiwanese who want formal independence, a step the ruling party says will lead to war.
“This is a grave warning against collusion and provocation between ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and outside forces,” the People’s Liberation Army statement said. “Joint Sword” is an exercise to “defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
According to the Global Times, a newspaper published by the Communist Party, the exercise would also include destroyers, missile boats, ballistic missiles, land-based anti-ship missiles, early warning, electronic warfare and tanker aircraft. .
Taiwan’s military said its missile defense system was activated and air and sea patrols were dispatched to pursue the Chinese aircraft.
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“We condemn such unreasonable acts that endanger the security and stability of the region,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping has stepped up efforts to intimidate the islands by flying fighter jets and bombers near them and firing missiles into the sea.
The United States maintains extensive informal and commercial ties with Taiwan, a high-tech center and one of the world’s largest trading nations, although it has no official ties. Washington is obliged by federal law to ensure that the island of 22 million people has the means to defend itself if China attacks.
Military analysts say a possible Chinese strategy in the event of an attack is to cut off sea and air traffic to prevent the United States, Japan or other allies from intervening or sending supplies. suggested that it was to pressure Taiwan to surrender.
On Saturday, the People’s Liberation Army is testing its ability to dominate seas, air and information and “create conditions of deterrence and repression,” mainland newspaper China Daily said.
Taiwan and the mainland have multi-billion dollar trade and investment ties, but no formal ones.
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, cabinet spokesman Zhu Fenglian said, “We will never leave room for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities in any way, and will not defeat foreign interference.” We will take decisive action to defeat it,” he said.
“Complete reunification of our country must be achieved and it can definitely be achieved,” Zhu said on Friday.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
