ReutersA fighter jet is sent into the air by the Chinese army
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 09:16
China conducted military exercises around Taiwan early this morning. According to state media, these are intended as a warning of the “conspiracy between separatists and foreign powers”. The military exercises come a day after Vice President Lai’s visit to the United States.
Lai was traveling to Paraguay to strengthen ties with Taiwan’s last diplomatic ally in South America. He made stops in the United States on the way there and back.
A Chinese executive who deals with matters related to Taiwan calls this a “new provocation” at state news agency Xinhua. According to that official, Lai is a “troublemaker who is dangerously pushing Taiwan to the brink of war”. Lai is running for president in January’s presidential election in Taiwan.
Beyond the median line
Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had detected 42 Chinese military aircraft around 9 a.m. local time. Of those, 26 had crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait. That line in the strait between China and Taiwan is an unofficial border between the two countries. According to the ministry, eight ships were involved in the exercises.
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According to the Chinese military, the exercises were designed to test the “actual combat capabilities” of the armed forces. Images released by state media show soldiers and army equipment running around. According to state media CCTV, missile-equipped boats and warplanes have been deployed to simulate the encirclement of Taiwan.
In response, the Taiwanese military deployed its own fighter jets and ships and activated its missile systems as a precaution. The defense ministry condemned Beijing’s “irrational and provocative steps”.
Billion dollar support
In recent years, China has held military exercises in the Taiwan Strait more frequently, crossing the median line several times. Last August, the conflict between Beijing and Taipei escalated after then-Speaker Pelosi of the US House of Representatives visited Taiwan, much to China’s dismay.
Western countries fear a future Chinese invasion. That is why the United States has pledged military support. At the end of last year, they came up with a support package of USD 10 billion until 2027. At the end of last month, the US added another USD 345 million in military aid.
The state of Taiwan
The rift between China and Taiwan arose in 1949 during the civil war. On the mainland, the Communist Party came to power and the nationalist government of the Republic of China established itself on the island. Under the latter name, Taiwan considers itself independent, but Beijing sees it as a renegade province that must be brought under the authority of the Communist Party by force if necessary.
Few countries have recognized Taiwan as an independent country. Neither does the US, but Washington does view Taiwan as a crucial partner. Therefore, it reserves the right to intervene if the status quo is threatened by China.
2023-08-19 07:16:26
#Dozens #Chinese #planes #ships #Taiwan #Strait
