“Our communication channels with the People’s Republic of China remain open and we have always called for restraint and not to change the status quo,” a US State Department spokesman said.
China began three-day military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday after the president met with a spokesman for the US House of Representatives.
It serves as a stern warning against collusion between separatist forces and foreign powers seeking “Taiwan’s independence,” military spokesman Shi Yin said in a statement.
“Today’s exercise focuses on the ability to take control of the sea, airspace and intelligence services to create a deterrent and complete encirclement of Taiwan,” China’s state broadcaster CCTV said. Said.
According to the television, the exercises will use destroyers, fast missile carriers, fighter planes and tankers.
The exact location of these operations has not been disclosed, but live gunfire will be heard off the coast of Fujian province, just outside Taiwan, on Monday, the regional maritime authority said in a statement.
The narrowest part of the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and the island is about 130 kilometers wide.
Deterrence from China to Taiwan
China’s announcement comes after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met in California on Wednesday.
Shortly after the controversial meeting, Beijing warned it would take “decisive and effective steps to preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
China considers this island of democratic rule as part of its territory and denies any contact between Taiwan’s leaders and representatives of other countries.
According to the Taiwanese defense ministry, the Chinese exercises are seriously undermining peace, stability and security in the region.
More details: Taiwanese president says ‘we are not isolated’ after US meeting with McCarthy
In response, President Tsai denounced China’s “persistent authoritarian expansionism”.
After deploying aircraft and ships near the island for two days, the People’s Liberation Army of China announced a “preparation for war exercise in the Taiwan Strait” on April 8 and 10.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had detected nine warships and 71 military aircraft near its territory as of 4:00 pm (8:00 am GMT) local time.
“(The Communist Party of China) is deliberately creating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, negatively impacting the security and economic development of the international community,” he said.
However, on Pingtan Island, the closest location to mainland Taiwan, tourists seemed unaware of the events and took portraits overlooking the sea, where merchant ships were still moving.
“I’ve seen the news, but it won’t spoil our plans for today,” said Wu, in his 30s, as he walked along the beach promenade with his partner.
More details: China threatens Taiwan if president meets with US spokesman
Another woman in her 20s, who has not been named, said she had never heard of the exercises. “What situation? Nothing is happening,” he said.
China conducted military maneuvers around the island as early as August 2022, in response to McCarthy’s predecessor as Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
The current speaker of the US House of Commons also wanted to travel to the island, but eventually decided to meet Tsai in California, much to Beijing’s dismay.
The Taiwanese leader stopped there after visiting Guatemala and Belize, two of the island’s last official allies, who had recently lost Honduras to Beijing.
Read more: China-US tensions resurface with fresh disagreements
Currently, only thirteen countries recognize Taipei. Except the United States, which is one of the main allies and arms suppliers.
In addition to Guatemala and Belize, Taiwan also maintains diplomatic relations with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Paraguayan and Haiti, as well as the Pacific island nations and the Vatican.
Returning to Taipei, Tsai said on Saturday that Taiwan “will continue to work with the United States and other like-minded countries to collectively uphold the values of freedom and democracy.”
the previous night, “Taiwan is an integral part of China,” said Mao Ning, Chinese diplomatic spokesman.
Source: Ultimahora
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Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.