Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said the exercises were further evidence that China was a ‘troublemaker’ endangering peace in the region.
ADVERTISEMENTChinese military drills near Taiwan have ramped up in recent days, according to the Taiwanese defence ministry, with China issuing a warning over support for the self-governing island’s independence and Taipei accusing Beijing of being a «troublemaker».
Taiwan’s defence ministry on Tuesday said 43 Chinese drones and ships had entered the island’s air defence identification zone but that no confrontations were reported.
The ministry said it monitored the situation and deployed aircraft, navy ships and coastal anti-ship missile defences in response.
Beijing launches such missions on a daily basis, seeking to wear down Taiwanese defences and morale, although the vast majority of the island’s 23 million people reject its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that the drills were «a resolute response to foreign connivance and support for Taiwan independence, and a serious warning to Taiwan separatist forces.»
China’s actions «are necessary, legal and justified measures to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,» Mao added.
Beijing also took issue with recent changes to the US Department of State’s website, with Mao claiming that the removal of language reaffirming the One-China principle had sent the «wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces».
Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo told legislators the drills were further evidence China was a «troublemaker» endangering peace in the region.
Last week, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te provoked Beijing’s ire said that Taiwanese law designates mainland China as a «foreign hostile force».
He also announced tighter measures to prevent Chinese subversion through media and civic exchanges, and warned of the danger of influential figures and current and retired military members selling secrets to China.
The Taiwan Strait, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, remains a focal point of geopolitical tension. While China does not interfere with civilian vessels, it frequently objects to the presence of US and foreign warships in the region.
On Saturday, China rejected accusations from G7 diplomats, who had criticised Beijing’s aggressive maritime activities as a threat to regional stability.
In a joint statement, the G7 condemned China’s «illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions» that it said aimed to change the status quo and threaten security.
China dismissed the remarks, calling them «filled with arrogance, prejudice and malicious intentions».
In response to the escalating military pressure from China, Taiwan has ordered new weaponry from the US, including missiles and aircraft, while strengthening its own defence industry. The island is developing new submarines and other key military assets to reinforce its security.
