Taiwan’s military said its missile defense system was activated and dispatched air and sea patrols to track the Chinese aircraft
Post Date – 11:30 PM, Saturday – 4/8/23
Beijing: Taiwan’s government said China sent a warship and dozens of fighter jets to Taiwan on Saturday in retaliation for a meeting between the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the president of the self-governing democratic island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.
The Chinese military has announced the start of a three-day “combat readiness patrol” to warn Taiwanese who want to permanently maintain the island’s de facto independence. The People’s Liberation Army did not say whether they would repeat previous exercises that fired missiles into the sea, disrupting shipping and airline flights.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was in California on Thursday for talks with President Tsai Ing-wen, joining a series of meetings with Tsai to show support for foreign lawmakers facing China’s intimidation. Beijing responded on Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions on U.S. groups and individuals linked to Tsai’s visit.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said eight warships and 42 aircraft were spotted near Taiwan on Saturday, 29 of which flew over the midline of the strait between Taiwan and the mainland. It said they included Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 jet fighters.
Also on Saturday, the navy plans to hold a “live-fire training exercise” at Luoyuan Bay in Fujian province, across from Taiwan, the local Maritime Safety Administration announced. Vessels were banned during the shooting, which will also take place on five dates over the next two weeks.
Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war. The ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland by force if necessary. Beijing says contacts with foreign officials have encouraged Taiwanese who want formal independence, a move the ruling party says will lead to war.
“This is a serious warning against the collusion and provocation of Taiwan independence separatist forces and external forces,” the PLA said in a statement. The “Combined Sword” exercise “defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The plan also calls for the exercise to include a destroyer, missile boats, ballistic and land-based anti-ship missiles, as well as early warning, electronic warfare and tanker aircraft, according to the Global Times, a newspaper published by the Chinese Communist Party.
Taiwan’s military said its missile defense system was activated and dispatched air and sea patrols to track the Chinese aircraft.
“We condemn this irrational behavior that jeopardizes regional security and stability,” the defense ministry statement said.
The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping has stepped up efforts to terrorize the island by flying fighter jets and bombers nearby and firing missiles into the sea.
The United States has no official ties with Taiwan, a center of high-tech industries and one of the world’s largest traders, but maintains extensive informal and commercial ties. Federal law requires Washington to ensure the island of 22 million people is capable of defending itself in the event of a Chinese attack.
One possible strategy, according to military analysts, is to try to force Taiwan to surrender by blocking sea and air traffic and preventing the United States, Japan or other allies from intervening or delivering supplies.
On Saturday, the mainland newspaper China Daily said the PLA was testing its ability to control the sea, air and information as well as “create a situation of deterrence and suppression”.
Taiwan and the mainland have multibillion-dollar trade and investment ties, but no official ties.
“We will never leave room for any form of Taiwan independence separatist activities, and will definitely take firm measures to thwart any foreign interference,” Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
“The complete reunification of our country must be achieved, and there is no doubt that it can be achieved,” Zhu was quoted as saying on Friday.
