On August 19, an event of military exercises involving over 40 Chinese warplanes flying within Taiwan's air defense zone was characterized as "irrational and provocative" by Taiwan, BBC reports.
The Taiwan Ministry of Defense indicated that around 26 Chinese aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait. This action was seen as an attempt by Beijing to exert influence over Taiwan's upcoming election. China explained that the drills were intended to evaluate the combat capabilities of its forces, with state media reporting on this.
The People's Liberation Army, as conveyed by military spokesperson Shi Yi, engaged in joint air and sea patrols and conducted naval and air force exercises around Taiwan, serving as a strong caution against the cooperation between 'Taiwan independence' proponents and external actors. This sequence of events follows China's discontentment with Taiwan Vice President William Lai's recent visit to the United States.
Notably, China had previously launched significant military maneuvers after visits by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Tsai Ing-wen to Taiwan. William Lai, a leading candidate in Taiwan's upcoming January presidential election, undertook a trip to Paraguay through the United States. China labeled Lai as a "troublemaker" and expressed a determination to take decisive actions to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite China's assertion of sovereignty over the island, Taiwan maintains self-governance. Taiwan responded by deploying "appropriate forces" and employing reconnaissance methods to maintain strict control in this situation. The defense ministry of Taiwan criticized China's military exercise, deeming it "irrational and provocative behavior" and an impediment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan's foreign minister asserted that China's military drills were an attempt to influence Taiwan's elections. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu expressed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the People's Republic of China (PRC) aimed to shape Taiwan's upcoming national election. He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Taiwanese citizens, dismissing external attempts at influence.
In Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, residents displayed limited concern toward China's activities. Observing the drill, Huang Chung-en commented that it appeared more of a show than a real threat of an attack, considering an actual assault unlikely although not entirely impossible. Similarly, Chou-Yu-Hsuan expressed her lack of fear, predicting that war was improbable due to prolonged rhetoric from China and the presence of the United States as a factor.
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