TAIPEI: The president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, has slammed China's military drills off the island's coast as being "irresponsible not just for Taiwan but also for the international community."
Calling for Beijing to "We call on Beijing to act sensibly and with moderation in light of China starting military drills in areas close to Taiwan today, Tsai said in a video address. Taiwan won't aggravate the situation, but we will tenaciously protect our democracy, security, and sovereignty." The People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out more live-fire drills on Thursday that are scheduled to last through Sunday, as per media reports.
The President said that the Taiwanese government was working to safeguard both the stability of the financial markets as well as secure and efficient operations at the island's ports and airports.
Four Chinese missile rounds reportedly landed inside Japan's exclusive economic zone after flying over Taiwan, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, however, would not confirm that the missiles had flown over the island, instead stating that the military had activated its defence systems and was using a variety of early-warning and monitoring measures to track missiles fired by the PLA.
Tsai expressed her gratitude to the G7 nations for reminding Beijing to stop engaging in "aggressive military activity" in the area and for reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. We work to keep things as they are on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and always have an open mind for productive discussions, she continued.
Shortly after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan concluded, the Chinese military began extensive air and sea exercises in the waters near the island that have angered Beijing.
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