TAIPEI: China’s Fujian Maritime Safety Bureau on Wednesday issued a no-shipping order for an area near Taiwan where live-fire military exercises are scheduled to take place on August 24-25.
According to information provided by the agency, the exercise will take place in Xinghua Bay, about 160 km from Taiwan proper, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for both days.
The announcement comes as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Terry Gou (郭台銘) in Kinmen County on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the 823rd Artillery Bombardment, a historic battle that saw the Republic of China (Taiwan) repel aggression by the People’s Liberation Army with the help of US military aid.
Hou is the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate, while independent Gou has strongly hinted for months that he might launch his own presidential bid.
China stepped up its daily “joint combat readiness patrols” on August 19, one day after Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in next year’s presidential election, returned to the country.
Lai Ching-te visit irked China as it made a stopover in United States and it was not one but twice.
China flew 45 warplanes around Taiwan that day, including 25 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and two that flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). China also plans to deploy nine warships in waters near Taiwan.
The Aug. 19 exercise led to Taiwan accusing China of trying to influence voter decisions ahead of next year’s general election.
