由 jpichiban Mon, 14 Oct 2024 03:49:27 GMT
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te gives a keynote address on national day to mark the 113th birthday of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, in Taipei, Taiwan October 10, 2024.Ann Wang | ReutersChina’s military launched a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday, saying it was a warning to the “separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces,” drawing condemnation from the Taipei and U.S. governments.Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, had been on alert for more war games since last week’s national day speech by President Lai Ching-te, an address Beijing condemned after Lai said China had no right to represent Taiwan even as he offered to cooperate with Beijing.The Chinese military’s Eastern Theatre Command said the “Joint Sword-2024B” drills were taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.”The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity,” it said in a statement carried both in Chinese and English.The command did not state when the drills would end.watch nowVIDEO1:5701:57Beijing’s strategy on Taiwan is not invasion: Eurasia’s GroupSquawk Box AsiaIt published a map showing nine areas around Taiwan where the drills were taking place — two on the island’s east coast, three on the west coast, one to the north and three around Taiwan-controlled islands next to the Chinese coast.Chinese ships and aircraft are approaching Taiwan in “close proximity from different directions,” focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockading key ports and areas, assaulting maritime and ground targets and “joint seizure of comprehensive superiority,” the command said.However, it did not announce any live-fire exercises or any no fly areas. In 2022, shortly after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China fired missiles over the island.In rare operations, China’s coast guard circled Taiwan and staged “law enforcement” patrols close to Taiwan’s offshore islands, according to Chinese state media.Taiwan’s China policy making Mainland Affairs Council said that China’s latest war games and refusal to renounce the use of force were “blatant provocations” that seriously undermined regional peace and stability.In the face of the further political, military and economic threats posed by China to Taiwan in recent days, Taiwan would not back down, Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement.”President Lai has already expressed his goodwill in his national day speech and is willing to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait together with the Chinese communists,” it added.Lai’s national day speech highlighted the current state of cross-strait relations and the firm will to safeguard peace and stability and advocated future cooperation in coping with challenges like climate change, the ministry added.”The Chinese communists’ claim of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ is a complete departure from the truth,” it added.Joseph Wu, the secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said Taiwan would “stay alert” but would remain “moderate and responsible, maintain status quo across the Taiwan Strait.””Leaders around the world talk more than ever about the need for peace and stability across Taiwan Strait,” Wu said during a forum on Chinese politics in Taipei.”Taiwan will continue to seek possibilities for talks with China.”Taiwan’s defense ministry and coast guard said both agencies had dispatched their own forces.In Washington, an official from the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden said they were monitoring the drills and there was no justification for them after Lai’s “routine” speech.The official said they urged China “to avoid any further action that may jeopardize peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region.”A 一位台湾高级安全官员向路透社透露，鉴于局势的敏感性，该官员要求匿名。他表示，中国正在演练封锁台湾岛南北两侧的港口和国际航道，以及击退外国势力的干预。台湾方面周日报告称，中国航母编队正通过连接台湾与菲律宾、沟通南海与太平洋的战略要道巴士海峡，向台湾南部航行。自上周四起，中国官方媒体连续发布多篇报道和评论，谴责赖清德的言论，而东部战区则在周日发布视频，宣称已做好战斗准备。解放军报周一刊文警告：“玩火者必自焚！”文章强调，“只要‘台独’挑衅不止，解放军捍卫国家主权和领土完整的行动就不会停。”今年五月，赖清德上任不久后，中国在台湾周边举行了为期两天的“联合利剑-2024A”演习，称此举是对其就职演讲中分裂言论的“惩戒”。赖清德虽多次提出与中国对话，但均遭拒绝。他坚称，台湾的未来应由台湾人民决定，并拒绝接受北京方面的主权主张。
原文链接：https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/14/china-launches-war-games-around-taiwan-drawing-ire-from-taipei-washington.html