China Military Exercise: Days after the Chinese military conducted another military exercise around Taiwan, the island nation’s President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the development, accusing China of not demonstrating “responsible behavior of a major Asian nation”. His remarks came after China’s three-day large-scale exercise ended on Monday (April 10). According to reports, the exercise was carried out in response to Tsai’s meeting with United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week.
“As president, I represent our country to the world, whether it’s traveling to allied countries or stopping by the US and chatting with our international friends, and not only has this been going on for years, it’s a great opportunity for the people of Taiwan.” have a shared expectation,” Tsai said in a statement.
Read also: China announces another military exercise around Taiwan after President Tsai-US speaker meeting
‘China creating instability in Taiwan Strait’
“But China used this as an excuse to launch military exercises, creating instability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. This is not the attitude of a responsible major nation in the region, he said, according to the Associated Press (AP).
As per reports, the exercise this time has more focus on air power, with Taiwan recording over 200 sorties by Chinese warplanes. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry tracked 91 flights of Chinese warplanes on Monday alone
China increased its military presence in Taiwan
In recent years, China has been increasing its military presence in the Taiwan Strait, sending warplanes on an almost daily basis and conducting military exercises in the waters and skies near Taiwan. In August 2022, after then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China launched missile attacks on targets in the sea surrounding Taiwan and sent warships and warplanes to the center line of the Taiwan Strait.
It is pertinent to mention here that Taiwan and China split at the end of a civil war in 1949 and have no official ties, although they are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. China does not recognize Taiwan’s government institutions, has cut almost all communication with Tsai’s government shortly after her early 2016 election, and has blocked Taiwan’s participation in most international organizations, beginning with the United Nations .
(with AP inputs)