China reported that it will carry out live-fire military exercises this Tuesday (10/22/2024) near Niushan Island, located east of Pingtan (Fujian province, south) and considered the closest point between the Chinese mainland and the main island. from Taiwan.
The maneuvers, scheduled between 9:00 and 13:00 local time (01:00 and 05:00 GMT), were communicated by the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), which issued a notice prohibiting entry to the area during the period designated for the exercises.
Niushan, an island located 165 kilometers from Taipei, is home to the largest lighthouse in southeastern China and has been declared a restricted area by the MSA until the end of the maneuvers.
These exercises come after the recent passage of the destroyer USS Higgins and the frigate HMCS Vancouver through the Taiwan Strait, a transit that, in the opinion of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA, Chinese Army), “alters the situation and undermines peace and regional stability.”
Liu Xi, spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, said the Chinese military “remains on high alert to defend sovereignty and national security.”
The United States, for its part, maintained that the passage of the ships was carried out in accordance with international freedom of navigation standards.
An attempt at “deterrence”?
In a statement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense indicated this Tuesday that the exercises are part of the PLA’s “routine annual training”, although it did not rule out the possibility that Beijing intends to increase its “deterrence” capacity in relation to “the situation.” in the Taiwan Strait.
“The ministry is closely monitoring and analyzing (China’s) military activities and intentions using joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems (…). The Armed Forces adhere to the principle of preparing for the worst, maintaining strict surveillance and responding appropriately,” noted the military portfolio.
For his part, Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai denounced that the maneuvers near the Matsu constitute a “threat” to regional peace and stability.
