Taiwan has mobilised its forces to protect the island. This comes after China started two days of “punishment” drills around Taiwan on Thursday. The exercises are in the Taiwan Strait and around groups of Taiwan-controlled islands that sit next to the Chinese coast. This comes after three days after Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan’s new president.
China Conducts Drills Around Taiwan
The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had started joint military drills. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait. This is in the north, south and east of Taiwan as well as in areas around the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin. They involve the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. (23:45 GMT).
Taiwan’s defence ministry condemned the drills. The ministry said it had dispatched forces to areas around the island. It said its air defences and land-based missile forces were tracking targets and it was confident it could protect its territory.
“The launch of military exercises on this occasion not only does not contribute to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. It also highlights (China’s) militaristic mentality,” the ministry said.
A Taiwanese official said the drills are part of a scenario it had anticipated. He added that the island’s government had a “comprehensive grasp” of Chinese military movements.
Lai Offers Talks With China
Lai has offered talks with China. China has however rebuffed him. He says Taiwan’s people can decide their future and he rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims. On the other hand, China denounced Lai’s inauguration speech on Monday where he had called on Beijing to stop its threats. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Lai “disgraceful” on Tuesday.
There was no sign of alarm in Taiwan. The benchmark stock index currently at a historic high, was up 0.2% on Thursday morning.
(REUTERS)
