Taiwan has strongly condemned the large-scale exercises. The United States is closely monitoring the situation in the region.
China is showing its military power over and around Taiwan for the second day in continuous military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and on the southern and northern coasts of the island.
Tomorrow, Monday, the focus of the exercises will shift to live fire exercises off the Chinese province of Fujian. It is about 80 kilometers from Fujian to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands.
– The exercises are a serious warning to the separatist forces that seek “Taiwan independence”. They are also a warning to outside parties and their provocative activities, said the spokesperson of the Chinese People’s Army Shi Yin.
The “middle line” between Taiwan and China has been crossed dozens of times
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense monitors China’s actions with the help of the coast guard, among other things.
According to the Ministry of Defence, at least 18 ship and 129 fighter jet visits around the island have been reported on Saturday.
The ministry released a map showing that 45 fighter jets have crossed the line separating Taiwan and mainland China, the unofficial border between the two countries, on Saturday. At least 71 planes crossed the line yesterday.
The AFP news agency keeps statistics on aircraft crossings. Yesterday was the busiest day of crossings.
Taiwan is on alert
Taiwan is on high alert and its forces are on alert.
According to the Ministry of Defence, there is no desire to expand the conflict.
Residents of Taiwan watch the exercises from their home island.
– I’m a bit worried. I would be lying if I said otherwise, said the 73-year-old Donald Ho in Taipei.
According to Ho, war would damage both sides a lot.
Lin Wen sold coffee to the audience following the exercises from the trunk of his car.
– Taiwan has defense capabilities. The exercises are mainly symbolic, he estimates.
The United States appeals for stability
China scheduled the drills with Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen to the time after the US visit. In California, the President met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress by Kevin McCarthy. He reports on the meeting, among other things Wall Street Journal magazine (you will switch to another service).
China also organized the exercises last year, Speaker After Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
In the US, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the US is “committed to the security of Asia”. According to it, the status quota of the region should not be changed.
The United States has sold weapons to Taiwan, but has avoided wider intervention in the defense of the region.
China considers Taiwan a rebel province and has assured that it will use force if necessary to take control of the island.
AFP, Reuters