According to Chinese state media the military exercises take place both at sea and in the air, with aircraft carriers and fighter jets circling around Taiwan.
According to the AP, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense states that the number of Chinese warplanes noted is the highest for a single day. In total, it is said to be 125 pieces, including helicopters and drones, of which 90 are said to have moved within Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
Answers to numbers
According to China, today’s exercises are a response to the National Day speech that Taiwanese President Lai Ching-Te gave on Thursday. There he said that China has “no right to represent Taiwan”.
“I will also continue to resist annexation or encroachment on our sovereignty,” he said, while also expressing that Taiwan is willing to cooperate with China on global issues.
China has long aimed to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and has said it does not rule out resorting to force if necessary.
Part of pressure campaign
Today’s military exercise and previous ones, including the one carried out in May this year, are part of a sustained pressure campaign by China against Taiwan.
Just like previous exercises, today’s is about surrounding the whole of Taiwan and simulating a full-scale invasion war, says Tilde Lewin, SVT’s China correspondent.
– But what is different this time is that more and more real military operations are simulated.
– In the Chinese media, they say that there is a big difference in the scope of this exercise compared to the one in May.
USA: “Risk of escalation”
On X Taiwan’s military writes that they condemn China’s exercises, which they describe as “irrational and provocative”.
The United States, whose President Joe Biden has said it will help Taiwan if China attacks, is expressing concern over today’s military drills.
“China’s response with military provocations to an annual speech is unwarranted and risks escalation,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. statement.
Taiwan President La Ching-Te writes on Facebook that his government will continue to “defend democratic Taiwan and maintain national security.”
Later on Monday report Chinese state media that Monday’s practice is over.