Taiwan conducts missile drills amid China tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Mar 2024 08:05

Taiwan conducts an air defense drill utilizing Patriot missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems.

A Cheng Kung class frigate fires an anti-air missile as part of a navy demonstration in Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises off the island's eastern coast near the city of Yilan, Taiwan, July 26, 2022. (AP)

Taiwan carried out an air defense exercise utilizing Patriot missiles and its anti-aircraft artillery systems, stating its intention to increase training amid what it perceives as Chinese military "intrusions" near the island.

"The aim was to verify the command and control of joint air defense operations among the three branches of the military," it said, emphasizing that the exercise went smoothly.

"In the face of frequent intrusions by PLA aircraft and vessels into the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan, the Air Force will continue to enhance training intensity to respond to potential threats," it added.

It is worth noting that Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported the presence of 13 Chinese aircraft and seven navy vessels around the island in the 24-hour period prior to 6 am on Tuesday (local time). Similarly, last week, Taiwan reportedly observed 36 Chinese military aircraft around the island within a 24-hour timeframe, marking the highest single-day count this year thus far.

Inevitable reunification

Beijing has repeatedly affirmed its position that Taiwan belongs to mainland China, citing historical context, and has constantly affirmed its opposition to Washington's increasingly hostile policies in the South China Sea, particularly regarding the island.

In his New Year's address last December, Chinese President Xi Jinping adamantly declared that the reunification of Taiwan was inevitable.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said then.

This came shortly after Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden in a November summit in San Francisco that China will ultimately reunify with Taiwan, albeit on an undetermined timeline.

Meanwhile, the United States has repeatedly claimed it adhered to the One China policy, which is a nonnegotiable prerequisite to diplomatic relations with Beijing. While Washington has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has signed a series of military and arms agreements, all explicitly directed against China.

The Taiwan Relations Act, signed in 1979, commits the United States to supply weapons to the island and any services it needs to "defend itself from China." However, Washington remains extremely vague over whether it would directly join Taiwan in any war with China or would assume a less involved role.

Biden has repeatedly said the United States would "defend Taiwan", but US officials have claimed there is no change to the American official policy.