- विज्ञापन -
Taipei: China’s military announced on Tuesday that it has begun joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket forces around Taiwan as a “stern warning,” according to CNN.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence condemned these drills in a post on X, labeling them as irrational actions that undermine regional peace. The ministry stated, “We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations. We firmly oppose PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Standing guard at the forefront of freedom and democracy, we remain steadfast in defending our territorial sovereignty.”
This development follows US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth’s commitment to counter “China’s aggression” during his recent visit to Asia, CNN reported.
The drills aim to “close in” on Taiwan from “multiple directions,” primarily focusing on sea-air combat readiness patrols, coordinated operations for achieving comprehensive superiority, assaults on maritime and ground targets, and blockades of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operational capabilities of China’s military. The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command stated on social media that these exercises serve as “a stern warning and forceful deterrence against ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces,” describing them as legitimate and necessary actions to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence, “19 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today.” The PLA Navy vessels, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, were reportedly observed near the response zone since March 29. The ROC Armed Forces have been monitoring the situation and responding accordingly, warning that the PRC continues to escalate military activities in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific, intensifying threats and challenging international order and regional stability, thereby becoming the greatest “troublemaker” in the eyes of the international community. They reaffirmed their approach of “no escalation of conflict, no provocation of disputes,” responding cautiously to gray-zone harassment to protect national sovereignty and the security of the people.
For Taiwan, these drills serve as a stark reminder of the threat posed by its Communist Party-led neighbor. Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, expressed condemnation of the exercises, calling them “reckless” and “irresponsible,” as they threaten not only Taiwan but also peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Wu stated, “It came without justification, violates international laws, and is totally unacceptable. Democracies need to condemn China for being a troublemaker.”
These latest drills come in the wake of several incidents that have heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, including the detention of a cargo ship crewed by Chinese nationals in late February for allegedly cutting an undersea internet cable—marking the second such incident in recent months.
