China launches war drills around Taiwan, sparking anger in Taipei and concern in Washington

In rare operations, China’s coast guard has surrounded Taiwan and conducted “law and order” patrols near Taiwan’s giant islands, according to Chinese state media.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry and Coast Guard said both agencies had sent their own forces, while officials said Lai’s National Security Council met Monday to discuss the situation.

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said China had ignored Lai’s goodwill message.

“Using military force to threaten other countries goes against the fundamental spirit of the United Nations Charter to resolve disputes peacefully,” he told reporters in Taipei.

Chinese state media said the rocket drive carried out simulated missile launches while fighter jets “opened air assault corridors” and bombers flew long-range missions.

In a propaganda video, the Jap Theater Command showed a caricature of Lai with pointed ears like a devil and fighter jets and warships around the island, before ending with a picture of a fist. transforming into a hammer then a sword pointed towards Taiwan.

A Taiwanese security source said there were no signs of a missile launch so far.

“Blatant provocations”

Taiwan’s Chinese Political Affairs Council said China’s latest war drills and its refusal to renounce the use of force were “blatant provocations” that seriously undermined regional peace and stability.

Taiwan’s presidential office said in a statement that China should recognize the existence of the Republic of China – Taiwan’s official name – and respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a free and democratic way of life.

It must “refrain from any military provocation that would disrupt the status quo of peace and stability in the region and threaten Taiwan’s democratic freedoms,” the statement said.

In Washington, officials in U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration said they were monitoring the exercises and had no justification after Lai’s “routine” speech.

“We call the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to act with restraint and avoid any further action likely to jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region, which is essential to regional peace and prosperity and constitutes a question of international concern,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, using the initials of the People’s Republic of China, China’s official name.

A senior Taiwanese security official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said he believed China was blockading Taiwanese ports in the north and south of the island. and international shipping lanes, as well as repelling the arrival of foreigners. strengths.

Taiwan’s stock market largely shrugged off tensions, with the benchmark index up 0.4 percent in late morning trading, and there were no signs of public concern.

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Taiwan reported on Sunday that a group of Chinese aircraft carriers was sailing south of the island through the strategic Bashi Channel which separates Taiwan from the Philippines and connects the South China Sea to the Pacific.

Chinese state media have published a series of articles and comments since Thursday denouncing Lai’s speech, and on Sunday the Eastern Theater Command released a video saying he was “prepared for battle” .

The PLA Liberation Army Daily The newspaper wrote Monday that “those who play with fire get burned!” »

“As long as provocations for Taiwan independence continue, the PLA’s actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity will not stop,” the newspaper said.

China held two-day “Joint Sword-2024A” exercises around Taiwan in May, shortly after Lai took office, saying it was “punishment” for separatist content in his speech investiture.

Lai repeatedly proposed negotiations with China, but was rebuffed. He asserts that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and rejects Beijing’s claims to sovereignty.

Reuters