simulated China “Combined precision strikes against key targets on the island of Taiwan and surrounding waters” in military exercises that began on Saturday, the Asian giant’s state media reported on Sunday.
Dozens of aircraft were deployed to “fly into target airspace” and ground forces carried out “multi-target precision strike” exercises, Chinese public television CCTV reported.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) eastern theater of operations has ordered “dozens” of raids with “early warning, reconnaissance, attack, bombing and air jamming,” the channel said. In parallel, Chinese army patrols “occupied attack positions” through “high-speed maneuvers”.
Similarly, the Xuzhou frigate “conducted tactical operations” in waters east of Taiwan, the chain said, which showed images of China’s maritime and air forces in action.
Well-known reporter Hu Xijin explained to the local Global Times newspaper last night that the maneuvers are “an explosion in the hearts and guts of Taiwan separatists“, accusing the United States of “increasing arms sales and military aid” to the self-ruled island.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, for its part, noted around the island 58 military aircraft, as well as nine warshipson the second day of Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. In the first, meanwhile, they had reported the presence of 71 planes and nine ships.
Fighter jets and bombers were among the planes registered at noon (0400 GMT), the ministry said, which said it had been monitoring the Chinese army’s movements through “a joint surveillance and information system”.
This Saturday, China kicked off three days of military exercises around Taiwanwhich include evidence of “a total siege” of the island, in response to the meeting held by the Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen, with the head of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.
Shortly after that meeting, Beijing assured that it will adopt “firm and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The situation recalls what happened in August 2022, when the visit to Taiwan by the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, infuriated China, which responded with military maneuvers around the island to a trip it called a “farce ” and “lamentable treason”.
Beijing has considered Taiwan a rogue province ever since the nationalist Kuomintang retreated there in 1949 after losing the civil war to the Communist army.
the island is one of the major causes of conflict between China and the United Statesbecause Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and would be its biggest military ally in case of war with the Asian giant.
With agency information.
AND
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.