‘Warning’ drills conducted by the Chinese military surrounding Taiwan after a senior island official visited the US

Days after the island’s vice president visited the United States, the Chinese military began conducting maneuvers surrounding Taiwan as a severe warning against what it called cooperation between rebels and foreign troops, according to the Chinese defense ministry.

Days after the island’s vice president visited the United States, China’s defense ministry claims that its military has begun maneuvers surrounding Taiwan as a “stern warning” against what it deems cooperation between “separatists and foreign forces.” (Photo: AsharqAl Awsat)

China’s Eastern Theater Command: Military drills tested the capabilities of ships and aircraft

In a report from The Tribune Democrat, in order to strengthen ties with his government’s final South American diplomatic partner, Paraguay, Taiwanese Vice President William Lai recently traveled there, stopping in San Francisco and New York City along the way. The ruling Communist Party on the mainland asserts that democratic Taiwan is a part of its territory and that it has no right to manage international ties.

A brief statement from a representative for China’s Eastern Theater Command stated that the military drills tested the capabilities of ships and aircraft to coordinate and take control of air and seaspace.

Shi Yi claimed that it was also a test of the army’ genuine combat abilities. He noted that the exercises in the skies and waterways to Taiwan’s north and southwest served as a warning against potential provocations from both domestic and foreign forces.

READ ALSO:

U.S. And China Tensions Extend To Philippines As U.S. Express Concerns About Manila Bay Reclamation Tied To Chinese Firm

The leadership posted video of the maneuvers online, which included footage of soldiers sprinting as well as military aircraft and boats. According to state-run television station CCTV, the exercise included fighter jets and boats with missile systems, and the units cooperated to replicate Taiwan’s surroundings.

In an article from Asharq Al Awsat, the Taiwanese defense ministry reported on the social networking site X, formerly known as Twitter, that between 6 and 9 a.m., its personnel had spotted 45 Chinese military aircraft and nine ships in the area. 6 a.m. on a Saturday. Sunday. According to the report, 27 of the aircraft—including fighters J-10, J-11, and Su-30—crossed the Taiwan Strait’s midline, an unofficial line seen as a buffer between the island and the mainland, and entered the island’s air defense identification zone.

According to the ministry, Taiwan responded to the drills by deploying aircraft and ships, activating land-based missile systems, and closely monitoring the situation.

READ ALSO: U.S. And China Tensions Reflect In Survey As Americans Support Tariffs, Military Preparations Against China