China has commenced military exercises around Taiwan, signaling a stern warning following the recent short visit of Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai to the United States, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Lai, a prominent contender in Taiwan’s upcoming presidential elections, made a stopover in New York during his journey to Paraguay—a nation among the few that maintains diplomatic ties with Taipei. His itinerary also included a stop in San Francisco on his way back.
China has labeled Lai as a “troublemaker” and vowed to take “resolute and powerful measures to safeguard national sovereignty.”
China’s official news agency, Xinhua, quoted military spokesperson Shi Yi stating that the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army “launched joint air and sea patrols as well as military exercises involving naval and air forces around Taiwan” on Saturday.
The exercises are reportedly designed to assess the People’s Liberation Army’s ability to “control air and sea domains and engage in combat under realistic battle conditions.”
The statement further emphasized that the exercises aim to serve as a “strict warning to Taiwan secessionist forces who advocate for independence, collude with foreign elements, and provoke.”
In strong condemnation, Taiwan decried this behavior as “irrational and provocative,” asserting its intention to deploy “appropriate forces” in response.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense released a statement expressing that conducting military exercises this time does not contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. It also highlights the bellicose mindset of China and the dominating nature of its military expansion.
China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has pledged to reclaim it, even through force if necessary.
Last year, China conducted extensive military exercises after the visit of Nancy Pelosi, then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Taiwan. Similar exercises followed after President Tsai Ing-wen met with top U.S. legislators during her journey across the United States.
Amidst these tensions, Washington has urged for calm regarding Lai’s visit, referring to the stopover as routine.
