China on Tuesday, April 1st sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing said were aimed at practising a blockade of the self-ruled island.
Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world’s “biggest troublemaker.”
China insists democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control.
Tensions across the 180-kilometre Taiwan Strait have escalated since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024.
Chinese leaders loathe Lai, who has been more outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.
Tuesday’s exercises were aimed at sending a “stern warning and forceful deterrence” to alleged separatists in Taiwan, Beijing said.
Taiwan—a powerhouse in semiconductor chip manufacturing—is a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States, which is the island’s most important security partner.
The drills come after U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday in Japan that the United States would ensure “credible deterrence” across the Taiwan Strait.
europeanconservative.com / AFP
