A military operation has been underway in Taiwan since Saturday. It aims to simulate a “total encirclement” of the island by China, which takes a dim view of the rapprochement between its neighbor and the United States.
China simulated strikes against “key targets” in Taiwan on Sunday, the second day of a “total encirclement” exercise scheduled until Monday and presented by Beijing as a “serious warning” to the authorities of the island after its president’s meeting with a senior American official.
Three days of operation
Called “Joint Sword”, the operation was strongly denounced by Taiwan and the United States called on Beijing to “restraint”, ensuring that it kept its channels of communication with China “open”.
They aim to establish Chinese capabilities to “take control of the sea, airspace and information (…) in order to create deterrence and total encirclement” of Taiwan, Taiwan television said on Saturday. Chinese state.
These maneuvers were launched after the meeting Wednesday in California of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, to which Beijing had promised to react with “firm and energetic” measures.
China views with displeasure the rapprochement in recent years between the Taiwanese authorities and the United States which, despite the absence of official relations, provides the island with substantial military support.
Destroyers and fighter planes mobilized
Also on Sunday, the Chinese military simulated “precision strikes” against “key targets on the island of Taiwan and surrounding waters”, involving dozens of aircraft and ground troops, according to television. of state.
Destroyers, fast missile launchers, fighter planes, tankers and jammers are notably mobilized according to Beijing, during these maneuvers which must last until Monday.
The maneuvers “serve as a serious warning against the collusion between the separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and outside forces, as well as their provocative activities”, warned a spokesman for the Chinese army, Shi Yi.
The United States calls for calm
Washington reiterated its call on Saturday “not to change the status quo”.
“We are confident that we have sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability,” the State Department said.
Live-fire exercises will be held Monday in the Taiwan Strait near the coast of Fujian, the province facing the island, local Chinese maritime authorities also said.
