CCTV reported that Beijing used dozens of army planes to “fly into the targeted airspace” on the second day of the military maneuvers planned for three days. Ground forces also conducted “multi-target precision strike” drills.
Taiwan’s defense ministry spotted nine warships and 58 military aircraft around the island on Sunday. The Chinese military aircraft spotted around the island by 12:00 p.m. local time (6:00 a.m. CEST) are both fighter jets and bombers. Chinese military movements would be monitored by a joint surveillance and reconnaissance system.
USA wants calm in the region
The United States called on Beijing to exercise restraint over the Chinese army’s military exercise. The Washington government is closely monitoring China’s actions, a US State Department spokesman said yesterday. “We have always called for restraint and not to change the status quo.” The communication channels with Beijing remained open.
At the same time, the ministry spokesman said that the US “has sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to fulfill our national security obligations”.
The US has been helping Taiwan build up its defense capabilities for decades, but has not explicitly committed to providing military assistance to the island in the event of an attack. The United States, on the other hand, has signed a defense pact with other countries in the region, including Japan.
Taipei sharply criticizes Beijing
The Chinese army described the three-day military exercise near Taiwan as a “warning” to “separatist forces”. According to Chinese state media, the encirclement of Taiwan will also be practiced. Taipei condemned the maneuver and accused Beijing of endangering regional security.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen accused Beijing of “authoritarian expansionism”. She clarified that Taiwan “will continue to work with the United States and other countries (…) to defend the values of freedom and democracy.”
Taiwan’s President met top US politicians
Tsai only met with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy for talks on Wednesday. The encounter in California was the first of its kind on US soil. Tsai thanked the United States for their continued support. Regarding China, she said, “We are once again in a world where democracy is under threat.”
The Chinese government, on the other hand, spoke of “outrageous misconduct” and viewed the high-level meeting as a serious provocation. In protest, China sanctioned the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where the meeting between Tsai and McCarthy took place.
Xi reaffirms Beijing’s claim to power
The communist leadership in Beijing regards the democratically governed island of Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and is trying to politically isolate the island with its 23 million inhabitants. Beijing also regularly threatens to conquer Taiwan by military means if necessary.
At a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping reiterated his claim to power on the island: “To expect China to be willing to compromise on the Taiwan issue is just wishful thinking. Anyone who does that will only shoot themselves in the foot.”
Pelosi visit triggered crisis
A visit to Taiwan by McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, of the Democrats in August had led to a serious crisis. At that time, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army simulated a military island blockade.
The Taiwan conflict is a key issue between the People’s Republic of China and the United States. Washington is committed to Taiwan’s defense capability, which includes arms shipments. Observers fear the dispute could potentially spark a military confrontation between the two world powers.
