New Delhi: In fresh tensions forcing Taiwan to scramble fighter jets and putting their missiles and air defence on alert, China Thursday began military drills around the island territory to showcase “punishment for separatist forces seeking independence”.
These drills come just days after Lai Ching-te, the new president of Taiwan was sworn-in.
The two-day military exercises, announced by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command, will test the air and naval capabilities of the PLA units, as well as their strike capabilities and battlefield offence tactics.
“This is also a powerful punishment for the separatist forces seeking ‘independence’ and a serious warning to external forces for interference and provocation,” the PLA said in a statement on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, according to media reports.
Codenamed Joint Sword-2024A, the exercise is being conducted in the Taiwan Strait to the north, south and east of the island as well as smaller islands such as Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin surrounding the main island, the PLA added in a statement published by Chinese local media.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence condemned Beijing’s military exercise and its attempt at “jeopardising regional peace and stability” in a statement on the social media platform X.
WE CONDEMN
PLA Eastern Theater's announcement of “Joint Li Chien-2024A” jeopardizing regional peace and stability.
WE STAND READY
with firm will and restraint. We seek no conflicts, but we will not shy away from one. We have the confidence to safeguard our national security. pic.twitter.com/KaEINkLfHx
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) May 23, 2024
Taipei’s defence ministry announced that between Monday and Tuesday, it had detected 8 Chinese naval vessels operating around the territory. Early Thursday morning the ministry announced that 1 aircraft, 8 naval vessels and 4 coast guard vessels were detected around Taiwan.
1 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 4 CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. The aircraft entered Taiwan's SW and SE ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/2dOXPzOfVJ
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) May 23, 2024
Lai, the new president of Taiwan, represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected in January.
On Monday, during his inaugural speech, Lai urged Beijing to accept the existence of Taiwan. “On this day in 1996, Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office, conveying to the international community that the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation in which sovereignty lies in the hands of the people,” Lai said in his inaugural speech.
“I hope that China will face the reality of the Republic of China’s existence, respect the choices of the people of Taiwan, and in good faith, choose dialogue over confrontation, exchange over containment, and under the principles of parity and dignity, engage in cooperation with the legal government chosen by Taiwan’s people,” he added.
Beijing reacted with anger, with foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin asserting that any pursuit of “Taiwanese independence is a dead end,” at a regular press briefing Monday.
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One China Policy
Beijing considers the self-governing territory as a part of its country and does not entertain any ideas of independence for Taiwan. It has not governed the territory since 1949, when the Republic of China’s government shifted its administration to the island.
The Republic of China (ROC), which was in control of mainland China since 1912, had lost a war to the Communist Party of China (CPC). In 1949, the CPC announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Kuomintang (KMT), in control of the ROC, shifted its administration to Taiwan and continued to represent China as the sole legitimate government at international fora till 1971. The United Nations that year recognised the PRC as the only legitimate representative of China.
India is amongst over 180 countries including the US and the member states of the European Union that recognises the One China Policy and the PRC as the only government of China. As of now, Taiwan is recognised by only 11 countries and the Vatican.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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