China's military announced that it met its "expected goals" during two days of drills around Taiwan last week and remains prepared for further action if provoked, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, conducted these war games following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing labels a "separatist." Taiwan warned that Beijing is attempting to gradually erode its autonomy and create a new normal through ongoing drills and other forms of pressure on Lai's new administration.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) held these joint drills as a strategy to counter Taiwan's independence movements and to send a warning against foreign interference, according to defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian. "We have reached our expected goals," Wu stated at a press briefing. "We are confident that despite external turbulence and changes, we will manage everything with ease," he added, promising "
While the official drills have concluded, China's military activities have not ceased. On Wednesday, Taiwan reported that Chinese warplanes and warships continued to conduct a "joint combat readiness patrol."
"The Chinese communists are exerting comprehensive pressure on Taiwan, especially in diplomatic areas," Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters. Lin highlighted the significant challenges Taiwan faces in participating in international events, such as the World Health Organization meeting this week, from which it was excluded due to Chinese pressure.
China's stance is that Taiwan is a province with no right to the attributes of a sovereign state, a position firmly rejected by the government in Taipei. Lin also pointed out other Chinese actions, such as opening new air routes close to Taiwan-controlled islands and deploying coast guard ships near Taiwan's east coast during last week's exercises.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated its stance on Wednesday, describing President Lai as a dangerous proponent of Taiwan's formal independence and threatening continued military activity. Taipei maintains that Taiwan is already an independent country known as the Republic of China, established when the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, who founded the People's Republic of China.
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