Self-ruled island ‘strongly’ condemns Chinese actions, says it deployed military vessels and aircraft to monitor the drills.
China has launched a new round of military exercises around Taiwan in its latest “warning” to the island’s democratic government.
The Chinese military said on Tuesday that the drills served as a “powerful deterrent” to “separatist forces” advocating Taiwanese Independence.The exercises are intended to test the “combat readiness” of China’s army, navy, air force, and rocket force, and their ability to work together during a joint military operation, the Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.
The drills were being carried out from multiple directions around Taiwan and focused on “sea and air combat readiness patrols, seizing comprehensive control, sea and land strikes, and blocking key areas and roads”, the command added.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office said it “strongly condemned” China’s actions, while its Defence Ministry announced it had deployed military vessels and aircraft to monitor the drills.
China considers Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, part of its territory and has pledged to take control of the island by force if necessary.
