The People's Liberation Army of China deployed ground troops, naval and air forces, missile and other troops for exercises in the Taiwan Strait, reported the Xinhua agency. Chinese army ships and aircraft will approach Taiwan from different directions and practice 'joint assault maneuvers': joint patrolling by the Navy and Air Force, blocking and taking control of key ports and areas, striking sea and land targets, and intercepting control on the battlefield.
'The exercises serve as a serious warning to separatist forces seeking Taiwan's independence and are a fair and necessary step to protect national sovereignty and maintain state unity,' said a statement from China's military forces.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council called the exercises a 'flagrant provocation', seriously undermining peace and stability in the region. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's administration urged China to recognize the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) and respect the people's choice for a free and democratic way of life.
Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, was on alert following President Lai Ching-te's speech last week, stating that China has no right to represent Taiwan, although he offered to cooperate with Beijing.
As Reuters writes, the Chinese command published a map showing nine areas around Taiwan where exercises are being conducted: two on the island's east coast, three on the west, one in the north, and three around islands controlled by Taiwan near the Chinese coast.
'The use of military force to threaten other countries contradicts the core spirit of the UN Charter — the peaceful resolution of disputes,' said National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu to journalists.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense and Coast Guard stated that both agencies have deployed their forces, and officials reported that Lai's National Security Council convened on Monday to discuss the situation.
In Washington, representatives of US President Joe Biden's administration stated that they are monitoring the exercises. 'We urge the PRC to act with restraint and avoid any further actions that could undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, which are necessary for regional peace and prosperity and are a matter of international concern,' quoted the agency from State Department representative Matthew Miller.
Meanwhile, as Reuters notes, the Taiwan Stock Exchange largely shrugged off the tensions: the benchmark index rose by 0.4% during late morning trading, and there were no signs of public alarm.
Photo: Reuters