China’s military exercises around Taiwan again

Last Updated on April 28, 2024 2:55 am

China has again conducted military exercises around Taiwan. Twelve Chinese aircraft were seen flying over the sensitive middle line of the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. The country conducted this exercise before the end of the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to Beijing. The incident came a day after Blinken wrapped up his visit to China on Friday.

The Nikkei Asia media reported, citing Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense, that they detected 22 Chinese warplanes at 9:30 a.m. (local time) on Saturday. Of these, 12 fighter jets crossed the northern and central midline of Taiwan.

Until now this northern and central midline served as the unofficial border between China and Taiwan. But Beijing is not willing to accept it now. So regular Chinese aircraft are crossing this limit. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the Chinese have conducted joint war drills. At this time there were warships along with warplanes. However, Taiwan’s warplanes and ships responded appropriately. However, exactly how this response was given is not stated. China has been claiming the democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory for many years. However, the Taiwanese government has always rejected China’s claims.

Taiwan’s biggest ally on the world stage is the United States. Although the two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, Washington is the largest arms supplier to Taiwan. During his visit to China, Blinken stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. However, China does not like this US relationship with Taiwan. As a result, Taiwan has become a major obstacle in the US-China relationship. Meanwhile, Blinken made accusations against China after completing his visit to Beijing.

He alleged that China is trying to interfere in the US elections held in November this year. He complained in an interview given to the American media CNN. He said the US has evidence of Chinese efforts to influence and interfere in the upcoming US elections. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping had previously promised not to interfere in the US election. Blinken also said that the US Secretary of State visited China twice in less than a year. US President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met in San Francisco in November last year. Then the Chinese president promised that his country would not interfere in the US election.

Blinken, who took part in a joint press conference after his meeting with the Chinese president, threatened that Washington had already imposed sanctions on more than 100 Chinese companies, RT reported. It is fully prepared to take further sanctions and other measures against the country. In response to the US Secretary of State’s threats, Beijing accused the United States of providing billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, while criticizing the normal trade and economic relations between Russia and China.