China’s military exercises around Taiwan have begun
Last Updated on May 23, 2024 10:18 am
China has started military exercises around Taiwan. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported that China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command began the exercise at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday around the island under its control.
It is known that China is conducting this exercise in the Taiwan Strait, north, south and east of Taiwan. Apart from this, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is also conducting exercises around Kinmen, Matsu, Vuqiu and Dongjin islands.
China’s military spokesman Colonel Li Shi said on Chinese messaging platform Weibo that the two-day joint exercise involving the Chinese army, navy, air force and rocket forces was a “stern punishment for the separatist activities of Taiwan’s independence forces and a strict warning against interference and incitement by external forces.”
Earlier, Taiwan’s newly elected President William Lai called on China to stop bullying his country shortly after taking office. In his first speech as president, Lai Ching-te said Taiwan only wants to follow the path of peace and Beijing should respect the will of the Taiwanese people. The leader, also known as William Lai, delivered this speech from the presidential palace in the heart of the capital, Taipei.
In his speech, William Lai called for a solution to the problem with China through discussion. I call on China to stop threatening Taiwan politically and militarily. Calling (on China) to work together with Taiwan to ensure that there is no fear in the world and that war does not break out, and to work hard to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region.
William Lai also said, we also want to announce to the world that Taiwan will not make any concessions on democracy and freedom. Peace is the only option and prosperity is our goal for long term peace and stability. Of course, China did not immediately respond to this. However, the country has repeatedly termed Lai as a ‘separatist’.
Chinese armed forces have been patrolling around Taiwan for several months. Even Chinese Air Force fighter jets have conducted exercises in Taiwan’s airspace several times. Since the election of William Lai last January, such Chinese exercises have become widespread.