Taiwan on edge as China escalates military drills
Beijing initiated military exercises around Taiwan on Monday. "China deployed planes and ships to encircle Taiwan on Monday," writes the AFP agency. In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence condemned the manoeuvres, calling them "irrational and provocative behaviour."
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defence, the command of the People's Liberation Army in the East sent its forces consisting of the army, navy, air force, and missile units to conduct joint military exercises codenamed 'Joint Sword-2024B' in the Taiwan Strait, and areas north, south, and east of the island of Taiwan.
"Ships and aircraft approaching the island from various directions"
"With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint drills, focusing on subjects of sea-air combat-readiness patrol, blockade on key ports and areas, assault on maritime and ground targets, as well as joint seizure of comprehensive superiority," added the communication.
The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity, emphasised Li Xi, a spokesperson for the eastern command of the People's Liberation Army.
Taiwan immediately responded to the Chinese manoeuvres. In a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Taipei "strongly condemn the PLA's irrational and provocative actions." In response, Taiwan is deploying its forces as "a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding national sovereignty and national unity."
A message also appeared on the Chinese Ministry of Defence website about patrols conducted around the island.
The China Coast Guard's 201 formation, 1305 formation, 1303 formation, and 2102 formation carried out law enforcement patrols in the waters around Taiwan Island on October 14th, which is a practical action to manage and control the Taiwan Island, according to the one-China principle, said Liu Dejun, spokesperson of the Chinese Coast Guard, at 10:00 am GMT on Monday.
Taiwanese army on alert
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence announced in a press release that the army was put on alert on Sunday after a Chinese aircraft carrier was detected in the south of the island.
"The Liaoning carrier group has entered waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely to advance toward the western Pacific," explained the ministry.
It added that the army remains "ready to respond if necessary." Earlier on Sunday, the eastern theatre command of the Chinese army, responsible for the area covering Taiwan, published a propaganda film titled "Fully Prepared and Awaiting the Time Before Battle" on its social media accounts.
Last Thursday, the ministry recorded 27 aerial and 14 naval units of the People's Liberation Army near Taiwan.
China aims to regain control over Taiwan
China has never ruled out the use of military force to regain control over Taiwan - the island it considers part of its territory. China has organised three sets of large-scale manoeuvres in the past two years, using its air force and navy to encircle the island.
Many experts have pointed out that a possible actual attack on the island could spark another large-scale conflict with global consequences.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping maintains that "The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability," not excluding military intervention, adding that "China will surely be reunified."
