China’s claim to power
Threat to Taiwan: China holds new military maneuvers
China views Taiwan as a breakaway territory and is openly threatening to unite it with the mainland by force if necessary. Ships and planes are now surrounding the island – an exercise, but it is raising concerns.
On Monday evening (local time) a further statement said that the maneuver had been completed “successfully”.
China threatens to conquer island republic
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, even though independent and democratically elected governments have been in power there for decades. Beijing has long been openly threatening to unite the island, which has a population of more than 23 million, and the mainland, using military force if necessary.
The pressure recently increased again after Lai Ching-te, another China critic, won the presidential election in Taiwan in January. The Communist Party in Beijing accuses Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of separatism.
The Taiwanese president’s speech is seen as a trigger
The exercises are believed to be a response to a speech by Lai on Taiwan’s National Day on October 10th. In the speech last Thursday, the president reaffirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty, but also called on China to work with it for peace.
Already last week, Taiwan warned that China could use the speech as an opportunity to flex its military muscles again. The US had warned Beijing not to respond to the speech with maneuvers.
USA sees danger of escalation
The State Department in Washington is seriously concerned about the exercises. Reacting to an annual speech with military provocations is not justified and carries the risk of escalation, it said in a statement. The US government called on China to restrain itself and avoid further actions that could undermine peace and stability.
The USA follows the one-China doctrine, which is a prerequisite for diplomatic relations with China and does not allow official contacts with Taiwan. However, the United States is legally committed to supporting the island republic’s defense capability and is an important ally.
Ships and planes from multiple directions
A Chinese military spokesman said ships and aircraft were approaching Taiwan from multiple directions, according to the statement. The aim is, among other things, to practice blocking important ports and areas and to achieve “comprehensive control”. The Chinese coast guard also said it would carry out inspections in the waters around Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry called the Chinese exercise an “irrational provocation” and said it had sent its own armed forces to “take concrete measures to uphold freedom and democracy.”