Beijing begins maneuvers around Taiwan. This is in response to Taipei’s actions

26 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army of China crossed the line that runs through the Taiwan Strait, which is considered an informal border between Beijing and Taipei forces. The PLA Eastern Command announced it was conducting joint naval and air force exercises and training, focusing on ship-to-aircraft coordination, takeover and anti-submarine warfare exercises north and southwest of Taiwan to test the force’s “real combat capabilities” .

“This is a serious warning to Taiwanese separatist forces who conspire with outside forces to provoke [Chin]- said the Chinese order. This is a reference to the Friday visit of the Vice President of the Republic of China, William Lai, to the United States. Lai only stopped briefly in the US as part of a layover, back from Paraguay, one of 13 countries that officially recognize the Republic of China, Lai used his brief stay in the United States to make speeches.

Beijing’s response to US visit

The visit of the Taiwanese vice president was poorly received in Beijing, as were any actions that could be construed as recognition of the island’s sovereignty. Until 1971, the Taipei government was China’s representative to the United Nations. Currently it is only recognized by the Vatican and a group of countries from Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean.

The equipment deployed as part of the PLA-W maneuvers included destroyers, frigates and fast missile boats, as well as fighters, early warning aircraft and jamming. Beijing-led maneuvers were condemned by the Taiwanese government.

“The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has the legitimate and legal right to maintain normal diplomatic relations with friendly countries,” Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which is responsible for relations with Beijing, said in a statement.