Defense of Taiwan's sovereignty 'will not change': Lai Ching-te
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Taiwan's President toured air force, navy, and coast guard bases in northern Taiwan after China launched a major military drill around the island.
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, center, listens to a briefing during his visit to inspect Taiwanese navy on the outlying Penghu Island, Taiwan, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP)
Praising the Taiwanese military's response to recent Chinese military drills, President Lai Ching-te claimed the island's commitment to defend its sovereignty "will not change."
China launched a show of military force around Taiwan on Monday, deploying fighter jets and warships in what Beijing described as a "stern warning" to "separatist" movements on the self-governed island.
This marked the fourth round of large-scale military exercises by China in the past two years, as Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contact with the island, has not ruled out the use of force to bring back Taiwan under its control.
In response, Taiwan said it mobilized "appropriate forces" and raised the alert level on its outlying islands.
Following the incident, Lai toured air force, navy, and coast guard bases in northern Taiwan on Friday.
"Our determination to protect national sovereignty will not change," he said, adding, "Our coast guard colleagues' determination to stabilise the society and ease the public mind... will not change. Our determination to protect fishing rights will not change."
Lai further hailed the coast guard for dealing with grey-zone tactics with a "positive and decisive attitude" to "protect every inch of the territory."
Exercises stern warning to separatist acts: Beijing
Beijing stressed that the exercises were a "stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence' forces" and dubbed the drills "Joint Sword-2024B."
Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, said the drills tested the joint operational capabilities of its forces, focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols and blockades of key ports and areas.
The exercises included simulated assaults on maritime and ground targets, with Chinese fighter jets and warships deployed, according to Chinese media.
Additionally, China's coast guard was deployed to conduct inspections around the island, as shown in a diagram indicating four fleets moving in an encircling, anticlockwise formation around Taiwan.
Chinese military activity around Taiwan has intensified in recent years, with frequent warplane sorties and naval patrols near the island’s waters.
The ongoing dispute between China and Taiwan traces back to the Chinese Civil War, in which the nationalist forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after being defeated by Mao Zedong's communist forces.
