Only three days after William Lai took the oath of office as the self-governing island’s new president, China has begun military exercises around Taiwan.
Li Xi, a spokesperson for the Foreign People’s Liberation Army, has called the training a” strong abuse” for” separatist works”.
The training, which started earlier Thursday, are happening all around the main beach, including the Taiwan Strait to its east, and around the Taipei- managed archipelago of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.
Taiwan’s defence department condemned Beijing’s steps, calling them “irrational actions”.
Taipei has dispatched naval, air, and ground forces to “defend the]island’s ] sovereignty”, the ministry added.
China’s military said its drills rely on combined sea- air combat- readiness patrols, precision strikes on important targets, and integrated operations inside and outside the island to check the” combined true combat capabilities” of its forces.
This is also a severe warning against the interference and provocation by external forces and a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan’s independence forces, it said.
Taiwan, which China has long claimed as its own, is a part of its territory, but the island sees itself as distinct.
Beijing has labelled Mr Lai a “separatist” and “troublemaker” over remarks he made in the past supporting Taiwanese independence.
In his inauguration address last Monday, Mr Lai called on China to “stop threatening Taiwan”.
Beijing denounced the speech, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi describing Mr Lai as “disgraceful”.
Beijing issued a statement in response to Mr. Lai’s victory in the January election, saying that” Taiwan is a part of China.” Additionally, it has repeatedly rejected Mr. Lai’s offers for talks.
China has repeatedly practiced encircling Taiwan with fighter jets and navy ships over the past year. In the weeks leading to Mr Lai’s inauguration, Taiwan has reported an uptick in Chinese military incursions.
The maneuvers have remained in a grey area despite not being successful in an invasion.
Analysts have told the BBC that grey zone warfare strategies are intended to thwart adversaries over a long period of time, which China is trying to do with Taiwan.
Taiwan said the drills on Thursday “highlight]Beijing’s ] militaristic mentality”.
” In recent years, Chinese aircraft and ships have been severely harmed by global peace and stability.
This military exercise highlights the aggressive militaristic mentality of the Chinese military, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry, not only fails to contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but it also highlights the Taiwanese defense ministry.