- China’s “Stern Warning” Over Taiwan VP’s US Visit
- Military Exercises and Patrols Near Taiwan
- Taiwan Responds Defiantly to China’s Actions
China conducted air and sea exercises around Taiwan on Saturday as a “stern warning” in response to the island’s vice president’s visit to the United States.
William Lai, the leading candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election next year and a vocal opponent of Beijing’s claims to the island, returned on Friday from a voyage to Paraguay that included stops in New York and San Francisco.
China has reacted vehemently to the US stops, reiterating on Saturday that Lai is a “troublemaker” and promising to take “firm measures… to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The People’s Liberation Army “launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and air force around the island of Taiwan” on Saturday, according to state media outlet Xinhua and military spokesperson Shi Yi.
Beijing reacted vehemently to William Lai’s visit to the United States, labeling him a ‘troublemaker’
Taiwan reported that since 9 a.m., 42 warplanes have entered its air defense zone, and eight Chinese vessels have participated in the exercises.
The island’s defense ministry said in a statement that 26 of the involved warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
The exercises were conducted “in the waters and airspace to the north and southwest of Taiwan Island,” according to Xinhua, to test the PLA’s ability “to seize control of air and sea spaces” and fight “under real combat conditions.
They also served as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists who collude with foreign elements and their provocations,” the statement said.
A video posted to social media by the PLA on Saturday depicted soldiers in fatigues sprinting through a military facility and fighter aircraft soaring above clouds to the tune of action film music.
Taiwan also stated it would dispatch “appropriate forces” to respond with “practical actions” in response to “such irrational and provocative behavior.”
“Conducting a military exercise this time under a pretext not only hinders peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait but also reveals (China’s) militaristic mentality,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence stated.
China asserts that Taiwan is a part of its territory and has vowed to acquire it one day, by any means necessary.
After Nancy Pelosi, then-Speaker of the House, visited Taiwan last year, and again when President Tsai Ing-wen transited the United States, the country launched significant military exercises.
Nevertheless, Sifu Ou of Taiwan’s Institute of National Defence and Security Research believes that “the scale of the PLA exercise (this time) will be moderate.”
Ou stated, “It will exert pressure on Taiwan without causing negative effects that will benefit William Lai.” Joseph Wu, the foreign minister of Taiwan, accused China of attempting to interfere with Taiwan’s January presidential elections.
“The PRC has also made it clear that it intends to influence the upcoming national election in Taiwan,” Wu wrote on social media. “Well, it’s up to our citizens to decide, not the bully next door.” When China previously conducted military exercises around Taiwan during an election year, they were viewed as aiding candidates from Lai’s pro-American Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The United States urged calm regarding Lai’s visit, which it characterized as routine travel.
