China’s armed forces held more drills in Taiwan that they said were intended to warn the pro-democracy government to stop “separatist actions.”
Monday’s drills involved the army, navy, air force and rockets, a spokesman for China’s military said in a statement on social media. State broadcaster China Central Television posted a map showing six large red blocks around Taiwan where the holes occurred, as well as three small red circles marking offshore areas.
The military operation “was a strong warning against the separatist actions of the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces,” the spokesman said. “It is a legitimate and necessary duty to protect the sovereignty of the state and the unity of the nation.”
The tests underscore China’s ongoing efforts to pressure Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te. They were named “Joint Sword-2024B,” followed by the “2024A” trials conducted shortly after his inauguration in May. As an exercise two years ago after the speaker of the House at the time Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, the People’s Liberation Army appears to have blockaded Taiwan – a semiconductor hub that sits along an important transportation route.
Read more: Taiwan’s New President Lai Ching-te Stands Under Her
China has used a number of tactics to try to pressure Lai since he won elections in January, including removing one of Taiwan’s few supporters from Taiwan, ordering an increase in Coast Guard activity on islands controlled by Taipei and ending tax exemptions for some agricultural products from the countries. an archipelago of 23 million people.
On Saturday, Beijing said it was studying “alternative measures” against Taiwan by blocking certain Chinese exports. Taiwan responded that China was using cross-barrier trade as a political weapon.
The PLA’s latest activity comes after Lai said in a speech last week that he would face up to challenges posed by China, which sees Taiwan as an area to be controlled, by force if necessary. Last month, Lai held the first meeting of the civil defense committee aimed at keeping the archipelago resilient to any emergency.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry condemned Beijing’s latest military action, saying in a statement that it had sent troops to respond, though without giving details. It also said that Lai’s speech on National Day showed his strong determination to maintain peace and stability in the crisis.
The US supports Taiwan with arms sales that angers Beijing, both politically and economically. President Joe Biden has said four times that the US will protect the chipmaking center from a Chinese attack, although he has also said he does not support Taiwan’s independence – Beijing’s red line.
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