Beijing called the drills a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence.” Taiwan deployed warships in response.
China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday to serve as a “severe warning” to the self-governing democratic island against separatism.
Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, called the drills — involving air, sea, and rocket forces — a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence” and a meant to “safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.”
China’s Coast Guard called its exercises a “law enforcement patrol” around Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense tracked 19 Chinese navy vessels in the area, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, which entered Taiwan’s defense zone.
In response, Taiwan deployed warships and activated its missile systems.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to bring it under control, while most Taiwanese favor their de facto independence.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said Taipei’s “stubborn persistence with the Taiwan independence stance” is “doomed to fail.”
China labels Taiwan’s president ‘parasite’
The exercises are aimed as a warning to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom China labels a “separatist.”
In a video released on Chinese social media, Lai was depicted as a green cartoon bug with the words: “Parasite courting ultimate destruction.”
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said China’s actions “shows their provocative character,” and insisted such rhetoric was not conducive to peace.
Last month, Lai had accused Beijing of trying to “absorb” Taiwan and undermine the island’s independence.
China had dismissed Lai’s remarks, saying that nothing “change the inevitable event of the reunification [of Taiwan] with the motherland.”
Beijing continues apparent intimidation strategy
Taiwan’s Presidential Office denounced China’s “escalatory behavior” on Tuesday, calling on Beijing to halt its unwarranted military provocations immediately.
“Solely displaying military force is not something that should be expected from modern, progressive nations,” Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said.
The latest drills come after months of rising tensions, with China regularly sending military planes and ships toward Taiwan.
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