TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan condemned China on Thursday for launching a two-day military exercise around the self-ruled island, which Beijing described as “severe punishment” for “separatist acts”.
China announed the military exercise three days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as the self-ruled island’s new president.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has called Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decay” to the island.
“The Ministry of National Defence strongly condemned such irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability. We have dispatched sea, air and ground forces to respond … to defend freedom, democracy and the sovereignty of the Republic of China,” Beijing said, referring to Taiwan by its official name.
It added that “all officers and soldiers of the armed forces are ready”.
“We hold a strong will to ‘prepare for war, not ask for war, respond to war and not avoid war,'” it said, adding that “we are convinced of ensuring the security of our country.”
Taipei’s relations with Beijing have soured in recent years as China has stepped up pressure on the democratic island and regularly stoked fears of a potential invasion.
Thursday and Friday’s exercise, codenamed Joint Sword-2024A, will “focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control and joint precision strikes on key targets,” according to Xinhua.
