TAIWAN: Following fresh rounds of threatening drills from China, Taiwan is conducting military exercises to demonstrate its capacity to withstand pressure from Beijing to accept Beijing's political sovereignty over the autonomous island.
Following days of Chinese missile firings and intrusions by ships and aircraft from the People's Liberation Army, the military wing of China's ruling Communist Party, into Taiwan's water and airspace, the exercises on Wednesday off the southeast coast of the county of Hualien.
"We vehemently oppose Communist China's ongoing military provocations in the sea and air surrounding Taiwan, which undermine regional peace, "Sun Li-fang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Defense Ministry, told journalists at Hualien Air Force Base. "The military actions of Communist China only give us the chance for combat readiness training, "added Sun.
Speaking on behalf of Taiwan's Foreign Ministry, Joanne Ou claimed that China was intensifying its efforts to frighten Taiwan into adopting what it calls its criteria for "peaceful reunification" by utilising recent congressional visits by U.S. lawmakers, notably House Speaker Nancy Pelosi."
On these justifications, China initiated military provocations. This is a ridiculous and inhumane behaviour that also threatens regional stability and obstructs trade and commerce in the Indo-Pacific area "said Ou.
Visits to Taiwan by foreign dignitaries are seen as recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty by China, which views the island as a breakaway province that can be incorporated by force if required.
Since immediately after President Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party was elected to office in 2016, China has blocked all communication with Taiwan's government. Tsai won reelection with a big margin in 2020.
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