Chinese Military Snubs Warnings, Continues Taiwan Exercises

How China Is Harassing Our Aircraft Near North Korea - Canada
FILE - In this undated file photo by China's Xinhua News Agency, two Chinese SU-30 fighter jets take off from an unspecified location to fly a patrol over the South China Sea. In recent developments surrounding the South China Sea, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said a pair of Chinese Y-8 surveillance aircraft flew through the Bashi Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines then out into the Pacific in a northeasterly direction on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. It said the pair were joined at one point by two Chinese Su-30 fighter jets as they flew through the Miyako Strait north of the island. (Jin Danhua/Xinhua via AP, File)
WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
LinkedIn
Print

The Chinese military have on Monday snubbed all warnings by the United States, Taiwan and the International community while continuing their large-scale sea and air drills around Taiwan.

The drill is in spite of its initial announcement that Chinese manoeuvres around Taiwan would end on Sunday.

Read Also: US Frowns At China’s Provocative Military Drills Around Taiwan

China’s state television reported that the exercises were focused on “anti-submarine and sea assault operations.”

In announcing the manoeuvres to the north, south-west, and east of the self-ruled island last Tuesday, China had originally promised their conclusion on Sunday. So far, however, no formal end has been announced.

In fact, some commentators on Chinese media said that the military exercises could become a new normal.

Defence Ministry spokesman, Wu Qian, on Monday said the drills were a “necessary warning” to the United States and Taiwan, describing them as an “entirely reasonable and appropriate” response to their recent “provocations.”

Wu said the tensions were “deliberately” stoked by Washington, with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi travelling to Taipei last week in the face of fierce opposition from Beijing.

The Chinese leadership rejects official contact by other countries with Taipei because it regards the island as part of the mainland. Taiwan, on the other hand, has long seen itself as independent.

Over the past several days, the Chinese military practised not only a naval and air blockade but also amphibious landing capabilities to launch beach assaults on Taiwan, according to Chinese media.

The United States of America has finally asked China to immediately halt all “provocative” actions around Taiwan as tension heightens.

The American government had also accused the fellow world power of aggravation through its military drills.

The White House said China’s efforts “to change the status quo” was a significant escalation.

“They are provocative, irresponsible, and raise the risk of miscalculation”, a spokesperson told Reuters.

“They are also at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

On Saturday, Taiwanese jets had charged toward 20 Chinese aircraft, including 14 that crossed the median line. The defence ministry also noticed 14 Chinese military ships conducting activities around the Strait.

 

Africa Daily News, New York

WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
LinkedIn
Print