Taiwan drills 'legitimate and necessary': Chinese Military
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Chinese Defense Ministry clarifies that Taiwan's drills aim to curb the arrogance of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
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This undated handout photo released by the Taiwan Defense Ministry on September 13, 2023, shows the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong (L) while being monitored by a Taiwanese Keelung class warship at sea. (Ministry of Defense in Taiwan via AFP)
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.
On Thursday, the Chinese military initiated two-day exercises around Taiwan, involving land, naval, air, and missile forces to assess combat readiness. These 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.
This came after 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.
On Monday, Lai gave his inauguration speech, in which he urged China to "stop threatening Taiwan with war" and to choose dialogue instead of confrontation when it came to Taiwan. He further stated that Taiwan would not be intimidated by China, as it kickstarts a "new era of democracy."
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