Chinese state media reports conclusion of Taiwan military drills
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China has announced the conclusion of a two-day series of military exercises around Taiwan.
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Chinese state media released this photo from the country’s largest naval exercises in decades, carried out last week off Hainan Island.” (Xinhua, via Associated Press)
China has declared the conclusion of a two-day series of military exercises around Taiwan, describing them as a test of its capability to take control of the island.
The exercises commenced three days after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te assumed office and delivered an inauguration speech, which China condemned as a "confession of independence".
Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that a total of 111 Chinese aircraft and numerous naval vessels participated in the drills encircling the island democracy.
The Chinese army "successfully completed" the operation, named "Joint Sword-2024A", a presenter on the state-run military news channel CCTV-7 stated in a broadcast late Friday.
Chinese military analysts informed state news agency Xinhua that People's Liberation Army (PLA) vessels had moved "closer than ever before" to Taiwan's shores.
They mentioned that the exercises included simulations of strikes aimed at the island's leaders, as well as its ports and airports.
Taiwan drills 'legitimate and necessary': Chinese Military
The Chinese Defense Ministry described on Friday the drills conducted around Taiwan as "lawful, legitimate, and necessary," adding that they were intended to suppress separatist forces on the island.
The drills commenced three days after the inauguration of the island's new leader, Lai Ching-te, who is anticipated to pursue the "pro-independence policies" of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen.
"The military drills around Taiwan aim to crack down on the arrogance of 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and deter the interference and intervention of external forces, which are completely reasonable, lawful, legitimate and necessary," ministry spokesperson Wu Qian told a press conference.
The spokesperson stressed that Taiwan is part of China's territory, and resolving the island's crisis is an internal matter for China. He added that the Chinese military would protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity "through concrete actions."
"With each provocation of the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, countermeasures will advance one step further until the complete reunification of the motherland is realized," Wu stated.
'Concerning, but expected': US
US Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, speaking in Canberra, has recently called the drills "concerning" but not unexpected.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Monday that Taiwan's internal politics does not obstruct the fact that the island and China are one part of a full entity, calling all attempts for its independence "dangerous", specifically after Lai Ching-te was instated as president.
Wang Yi said that Taiwan's efforts for independence were "the most serious challenge to the international order," the "most dangerous change in the status quo," and the main disruptor of peace in the Taiwan Strait.
He further asserted that China and Taiwan were one entity as per historical facts, noting that their reunification was inevitable.
When asked about Lai's inauguration, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin warned of the "political manipulation" certain countries exercised regarding the Taiwan issue, which interfered with China's internal politics.
"China strongly condemns this, and will take some necessary measures to resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
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