Four days after the Taiwanese National Day during which President Lai Ching-te pledged to “ resist annexation » of the island, Beijing launched large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan on Monday October 14. If China describes these new exercises as “ serious warning » in the face of “ separatist actions » from Taipei, the Taiwanese government claims to have deployed the “ adequate forces » to answer it.
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The tone is rising again between Beijing and Taipei. ThereChina launched, Monday October 14, military maneuvers with planes and ships around Taiwanwhich for its part assures that it has deployed the “ adequate forces » to answer it. Called Joint Sword-2024B, these exercises aim to “ test joint operational capabilities » troops, announced the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
The operations take place in areas to the north, south and east of the island “, said Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese army’s Eastern Command. They ” focus on sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockade of ports and key areas […]the assault of maritime and land targets » as well as on “ the joint acquisition of global superiority », added Mr. Li who also specified that these new exercises are intended to be a “ serious warning » in the face of “ separatist actions of “Taiwan independence” forces […]. This is a legitimate and necessary operation to safeguard State sovereignty and national unity. “. The official Chinese television channel CCTV broadcast a video entitled: “ The greater the provocation, the tighter the reins will be “.
For its part, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense immediately condemned in a press release a “ irrational and provocative behavior » from Beijing, specifying that it had “ deployed adequate forces to respond appropriately in order to protect freedom and democracy, as well as to defend sovereignty » from Taiwan. China considers the island as part of its territory to be reunited one day and has never renounced using military force to regain control.
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Terrible relations since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in Taipei in 2016
In recent years, Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan by strengthening its military activity around the island, maintaining a near-constant presence using military planes and ships. For two years, China has notably organized three series of large-scale maneuvers, involving its air force and its navy to encircle the island, managed autonomously. On Sunday October 13, the Taiwanese army claimed to be “ on alert » after detecting the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning south of its territory.
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Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been terrible since 2016 and the coming to power in Taipei of President Tsai Ing-wenthen his successor Lai Ching-te at the start of the year. Invested last May, Mr. Lai notably distinguished himself, Thursday October 10, by committing to “ resist annexation » island Chinese or « to the encroachment of [sa] sovereignty », on the occasion of the Taiwanese National Day. Still in this context, He also expressed his wish to have “ healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges » with China, calling on Beijing to instead use its influence to help resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
the United States warns China against any “ provocation »
Beijing, which describes Mr. Lai as “ separatist », reacted without delay, warning that the “ provocations » of the Taiwanese president would lead to a “ disaster » for his people. The next day, the United States warned China against any “ provocation » with regard to Taiwan. “ The whole world has every interest in maintaining peace and stability, in preserving the status quo, in avoiding any type of conflict likely to disrupt essential elements of the global economy »underlined Friday the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
Beijing has long tried to block contacts between Taipei and its international partners in order to isolate it, for example preventing it from participating in global forums or putting pressure on its rare official supporters.