China began joint army, navy and missile exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Chinese authorities view the drills as a “stern warning” against separatism and called Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a “parasite,” as the island sent warships in response to the Chinese navy’s approach to its coast.
The exercise was announced by China’s Eastern Theatre Command.
The focus is on exercises such as combat readiness patrols at sea and in the air, seizing comprehensive control, striking maritime and land targets, and imposing blockade controls on key areas and routes.
The Taiwanese government condemned the drills, with the presidential administration saying China was “widely recognised by the international community as a troublemaker.” Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, arguing that only the people of the self-governing island can decide their own future.
According to Taiwan’s Defence Ministry, China’s Shandong aircraft carrier group entered the island’s response zone on Monday. Taiwan responded by sending military aircraft and ships and activating land-based missile systems.
The exercise came after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth left the region after a visit to Japan and the Philippines. The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy, said the United States would continue to support the island.
Once again, China has shown that it is not a responsible actor and has no problem putting the region’s security and prosperity at risk.
China conducted several rounds of military exercises around Taiwan since then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid a visit to Taipei in 2022.
