World

China Commences Military Drills Surrounding Taiwan As Stern Warning

China staged military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan on Saturday as a stern warning in response to the island’s vice president, William Lai, visiting the United States.

Lai, the candidate for Taiwan’s presidential election next year, stopped in New York before continuing to Paraguay, one of a dwindling number of countries that recognize Taipei globally.

On Saturday, China dubbed Lai a troublemaker and threatened to take decisive measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to military spokeswoman Shi Yi, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and air force around the island of Taiwan.

The drills, the scale of which was not immediately known, were intended to put the PLA’s capabilities to seize control of air and sea spaces and fight in real combat conditions to the test.

They were also meant to be a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations, according to the statement.

China claims Taiwan and has stated that it will use force to capture it.

China began extensive military exercises after Nancy Pelosi, then House Speaker, visited Taiwan last year, and later when President Tsai Ing-wen met with crucial US politicians while transiting through the country.

Washington has urged for calm in the wake of Lai’s transit, calling it as usual.

However, an official from the ruling Communist Party’s Taiwan Work Office strongly condemned Lai’s travel on Saturday, calling it a new provocative move by his party, the DPP, to further collude with the US.

“Lai’s latest stopover was a disguise he used to sell out Taiwan’s interests to seek gains in the local election through dishonest moves”, the official stated.

During the tour, Lai pledged to resist annexation and to support Tsai’s key values.

Lai has been even more vocal about independence than Tsai, whom Beijing already considers unfriendly because she refuses to recognize Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is a part of China.

Previously, the Harvard-educated doctor turned politician called himself a pragmatic Taiwan independence worker.

Also read: 25 Countries Experiencing Extremely High Water Stress Due To Global Water Scarcity

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Self-Reliant Defence Industry Marks India’s Strategic Security Ascent

One year into Modi 3.0, reforms have reduced poverty, strengthened defence, and accelerated the digital…

12 mins ago

Survey Shows Over 88% Indians Trust PM Modi On National Interest & Security

A recent News18 survey reveals that more than 88 per cent of Indians trust Prime…

38 mins ago

PM Modi: NDA Government Has Redefined Women-Led Development Over 11 Years

Marking 11 years of the NDA govt at the Centre, PM Modi stated that women-led…

1 hour ago

Team India Begins Training In England Ahead Of Test Series Opener

Team India, led by new captain Shubman Gill, has commenced training in England ahead of…

2 hours ago

Five Districts In Manipur Face Internet Shutdown Following Unrest

Manipur suspended internet in five districts for five days after protests over arrest of a…

4 hours ago

Shashi Tharoor Criticises Pakistan: “In Pakistan You Get Rewarded For Promoting Terrorism”

Shashi Tharoor condemns Pakistan’s treatment of Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US locate Osama…

4 hours ago