TAIPEI, April 9 (Reuters) – China’s military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan on the second day of exercises around the island on Sunday, with the island’s defense ministry reporting several tracking the air force and that it monitors China’s missile forces.
China, which claims to democratically govern Taiwan as its own territory, began three days of military exercises around the island on Saturday, the day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a brief visiting the United States.
Chinese state television reported that combat readiness patrols and training around Taiwan continued.
“Under the joint command of the theater joint operations command center, many types of units conducted simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on the island of Taiwan and the surrounding sea areas, and continued to maintain a offensive posture around the island,” it said.
A Taiwanese security source told Reuters that on Saturday Chinese drills around the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, included simulated attacks by aircraft carrier groups as well as anti-submarine drills.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Sunday at noon (0400 GMT) it had spotted 58 Chinese aircraft, including Su-30 fighters and H-6 bombers, as well as nine ships, around Taiwan.
The ministry said they are paying particular attention to the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force which is in charge of China’s land-based missile system.
“Regarding the movements of the Rocket Force of the Chinese communists, the country’s military also has a close understanding through the joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system, and the air defense forces remain alert,” the ministry said. .
It reiterated that Taiwan’s forces “will not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes” and will respond “appropriately” to Chinese exercises.
‘COMFORTABLE, CONFIDENT’ US MONITORS DRILLS
Life in Taiwan continues as normal, with no sign of panic or disruption from Chinese drills.
In August, after the visit to Taipei by Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the US House of Representatives, China conducted war games around Taiwan, including firing missiles into waters close to the island. It has not announced similar drills at this time.
While in Los Angeles last week, in what the official billed as a transit on her way home from Central America, Tsai met with the current speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, despite Beijing’s warnings against it. .
The de facto US embassy in Taiwan said on Sunday that the United States is closely monitoring China’s exercises around Taiwan and is “comfortable and confident” it has sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and strength.
US communication channels with China remain open and the United States has always urged restraint and no change to the status quo, said a spokesman for the American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as an embassy in the absence of’ y formal diplomatic relations.
Washington severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979 but is bound by law to provide the island with means of self-defense.
China, which has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, says that Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue in its relationship with the United States, and the subject is a constant source. of tensions.
Beijing considers Tsai a separatist and has rebuffed her repeated calls for talks. Tsai said only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
CHINESE FIGHTERS, WARSHIPS
China has for the past three years or so increased its military pressure against Taiwan, flying regular missions around Taiwan, though not in its airspace or on the island itself.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said earlier on Sunday that in the past 24 hours it had spotted 71 Chinese air planes and nine navy ships in the vicinity of Taiwan.
The ministry published a map showing half of the aircraft, including Su-30s and J-11s, crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which for years served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides. .
Chinese state media said the plane was armed with live weapons. Taiwan’s air force jets also usually carry live weapons when they scramble to detect Chinese incursions.
On Saturday, Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, which runs the Coast Guard, posted footage on its YouTube channel showing one of its ships shadowing a Chinese warship, although it did not provide the exact location.
“You are seriously undermining the peace, stability and security of the region. Please immediately go back and leave. If you continue, we will take expulsion measures,” said a Coast Guard official over the Chinese ship’s radio.
Other footage shows a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, accompanying a Coast Guard vessel in what a Coast Guard officer called a “standoff” with the Chinese warship.
However, civilian travel around Taiwan, including Kinmen and Matsu, two groups of islands controlled by Taiwan off the coast of China, continued as normal.
In August, civilian air traffic was disrupted after China announced effective no-fly zones in several blocks near Taiwan where it fired missiles.
Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard in Taipei and Josh Horwitz in Shanghai; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Leslie Adler and William Mallard
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
