China’s military said Thursday it has started drills around Taiwan as a “strong punishment” for those seeking the island’s independence and a “stern warning” against interference and provocation by external forces.
The exercises followed the inauguration Monday of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing condemns as a separatist.
The two-day drills through Friday are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island, as well as around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin, according to the military’s Eastern Theater Command, which covers the strait.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry slammed China’s military drills as “irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.” The island’s sea, air and land forces have been dispatched appropriately and are confident of ensuring the island’s security, the ministry added.
Beijing has ramped up criticism of Lai, who called Taiwan a “sovereign, independent nation” in his inauguration speech and insisted that it and the mainland are “not subordinate to each other,” while vowing to maintain the status quo.
Beijing has also rapped the United States, Japan, Britain and South Korea for congratulating Lai on his inauguration. China is strongly opposed to other countries engaging in official exchanges with Taiwan.
Communist-led China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split as the result of a civil war in 1949. Beijing aims to bring the island into its fold, by force if necessary.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
