Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 16: In response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterating Taiwan’s sovereignty, China launched a new round of military drills surrounding the island. Described by Beijing as a “resolute punishment,” the drills involved all wings of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), simulating attacks by land, sea, and air.
The drills came a week after President Lai’s speech at Taiwan’s National Day celebration, in which he reaffirmed the island’s democratic values, its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and resisting annexation. Lai, a vocal advocate for Taiwan’s independence reiterated that Beijing has no right to represent Taiwan, stating “ On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has no right to represent Taiwan.”
In response, the PLA said it deployed forces around the island, conducting military exercises in at least nine areas. These included two on Taiwan’s east coast, three on its west coast, one in the north, and three near China’s coastline. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 125 Chinese aircraft, including warplanes, helicopters, and drones, as well as 34 naval vessels surrounding the island. Despite the heightened military activity, Taiwan assured the public that its airports and ports continued to operate normally.
Wu Qiang, spokesperson for China’s Defence Ministry, warned that every provocation from Taiwan’s pro-independence forces would be met with force. “Every time the Taiwan independent separatist forces provoke us, we will counteract further until the complete reunification of the motherland is achieved,” Wu stated during a press conference.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, echoed this sentiment, stating, “What I can tell you is that Taiwan independence is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait and the provocations of the Taiwan independence forces will inevitably be countered.”
Taiwan has condemned China’s drills announcing that it is reviewing its combat readiness in response. “We have ordered all the units of the three armed forces to review its appropriateness and use the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems to closely monitor the developments of the Chinese Communist Party’s rocket force,” said Sun Li-fang, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Defence Ministry. He added that these measures are in line with regulations for handling emergencies during the combat readiness period. Additionally, defence areas on Taiwan’s outlying islands have been directed to increase vigilance.
Taiwan’s main ally, the United States has also condemned China’s drills around the island. The U.S. Department of Defence described the exercise as “irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilising.” In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder urged Beijing to halt its military activities to avoid further escalation and to exercise restraint. He emphasised that peace in the Taiwan Strait is a global concern, with many countries committed to upholding regional stability.
President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May after his election in January, is a frequent target of Beijing, which labels him a “separatist.” China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, a view rejected by Lai and his government. Lai succeeded former President Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party, and observers note that his public statements on Taiwan’s status have been even more assertive than those of his predecessor. However, Lai maintains that there is no need for Taiwan to declare independence, as it is already an independent, sovereign nation that has never been controlled by the People’s Republic of China.
