Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen condemns Chinese military drills in Taiwan Strait
Post Date – 11:59 PM, Tue – 4/11/23
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Taipei: Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has condemned China’s military drills in the Taiwan Strait, saying on Tuesday that China had not shown the “responsible” behavior of an Asian power.
China’s massive three-day exercise, which ended on Monday, was retaliation for Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week during a visit to Taiwan’s official and unofficial allies.
“As president, I represent our country in the world, whether visiting allies or staying in the United States to interact with our international friends. This has not only lasted for many years, but is also the common expectation of the people of Taiwan,” Tsai Ing-wen said in a statement explain.
“But China uses this as an excuse to start military exercises to create instability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. This is not the attitude of a responsible major country in the region.” China sees such meetings as encouraging Taiwanese voters and politicians who support Taiwan’s formal independence, China The ruling Communist Party said the move would lead to war.
The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war, and the government said the island was obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary.
China does not recognize Taiwan’s government institutions, has cut off nearly all communication with Tsai’s administration since shortly after its first general election in 2016, and has blocked Taiwan’s participation in most international organizations, starting with the United Nations.
Surveys show an overwhelming majority of Taiwanese support the current de facto state of independence, while Tsai Ing-wen’s government says a formal declaration of independence is unnecessary because the island already enjoys the status of a sovereign state despite China’s attempts to isolate it diplomatically.
The People’s Liberation Army made the threat as it concluded the exercise.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, which is in charge of Taiwan-related emergencies, said in a statement that its troops were “ready to fight at any time and resolutely crush any form of Taiwan independence and foreign interference schemes.”
China’s foreign ministry backed the threat on Tuesday.
“I want to emphasize again that China will take firm and strong measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily news briefing.
China has been increasing its military presence in the Taiwan Strait in recent years, launching almost daily warplanes and conducting military exercises in the waters and skies near Taiwan.
In August, after then-Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan, China carried out missile strikes on waters surrounding Taiwan and sent warships and planes across the midline of the Taiwan Strait.
It also fired missiles at the island, which fell into Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in a significant escalation.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important ally and source of military aid, albeit with only an informal relationship. U.S. law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island – including blockades – as a matter of “serious concern”, although it does not explicitly call for the involvement of troops.
This time around, the exercise focused more on air power, with Taiwan reporting more than 200 flights by Chinese warplanes.
On Monday alone, Taiwan’s defense ministry tracked 91 flights of Chinese warplanes.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV, citing the PLA, said the drill simulated waves to blockade the island and strike vital targets.
Tsai Ing-wen also urged the public not to believe any false information about Taiwan’s defense, saying the military is performing its duties and the public should encourage the military.
“Our nation’s soldiers and national security teams will continue to stand firm to defend our country,” she said.
Eight Chinese naval vessels were still in waters around the island as of Tuesday morning, Taiwan’s defense ministry said.
