In an aggressive posture toward its neighbouring country, after Taiwan on Wednesday hosted US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China deployed 68 fighter jets and 13 warships in Taiwan Straits, in what it called “live fire” military drills, some of which deliberately crossed an unofficial buffer separating the two sides. Taiwans Ministry of National Defence on Friday said that China has deployed 68 military aircraft and 13 navy ships in the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Some of these warships “deliberately” crossed an unofficial buffer separating the country from mainland China, while conducting missions.
Ministry of National Defence on Friday said that the armed forces of the country have press in their surveillance systems, CAP aircraft, naval vessels and missile systems in response to the Chinese aggression. “Multiple PLA aircraft and vessels were detected participating in drills around Taiwan Strait and have crossed the median line. #ROCArmedForces have utilized alert broadcast, aircraft in CAP, patrolling naval vessels, and land-based missile systems in response to this situation,” said the ministry in a tweet.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China dispatched 68 aircraft and 13 vessels until 17:00 (UTC+8) for conducting military drills and missions around Taiwan Strait, some of which had crossed the median line, jeopardizing the status quo of the strait. “We condemn such action that disturbed our surrounding airspace and waters and continue to ensure our democracy and freedom free from threats,” Taiwan’s defence ministry added in the tweet.
Condemned China’s hostile action, the Taiwan defence ministry said that Chinese armed forces have “seriously damaged” the status quo and “harassed” Taiwan’s water and air space. “We seek no escalation, nor do antagonize others. #ROCArmedForces are
committed to #ProtectOurCountry along with our citizens,” the ministry added in its tweet.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday warned the United States not to act rashly and to avoid creating a bigger crisis by making another visit of US House Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan. Speaking at the 55th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, Wang said, “US has no right to make the mistake again of allowing another visit of US House Speaker to Taiwan.”
Defending Chinese action in the region, Wang said, “It is only natural that the Chinese side must show our strong opposition.” The Chinese foreign minister further added, “Actually, it is under US government’s brazen decision of allowing Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. This trip has seriously impacted China’s sovereignty, seriously interfered our internal affairs, violate the promise the US had made with China and harmed the Taiwan straits relations.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that China’s military drills around Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island is a disproportionate, unjustified and provocative escalation. Addressing a news conference on the side lines of the ASEAN meeting, Blinken said, “There is no justification for this extreme, disproportionate and escalatory military response.”
China on Thursday had, in a similar show of aggression, fired live multiple Dongfeng (DF) ballistic missiles at the island’s northeast and southwest waters, five of which had landed in exclusive economic zone in Japanese waters. The Chinese move came a day after US House of Representative Speaker Pelosi visited Taipei to express US solidarity with the country over a looming threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity from China.
China’s live-fire military drills began on Thursday in at least six identified zones around the island, which China regards as its own and threatens to take over by force. The PLA organized joint combat training exercises near Taiwan waters and airspace.
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang blasted what he called “the evil neighbour” after China encircled the self-ruled island with a series of massive military drills that were condemned by the United States and other Western allies.
