China launched military drills today, Saturday, that will last for three days in the Taiwan Strait with the goal of "combat readiness" amid tensions with the island following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The military stated in a release that "combat readiness" exercises will take place in the Taiwan Strait from April 8 to 10, adding that the maneuvers are a stern warning to "separatist forces" in Taiwan for their "collusion with external powers." Chinese state media announced that Beijing is conducting exercises for a "complete encirclement" of Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense stated that 42 Chinese military aircraft and eight ships crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday morning. The ministry observed three warships and 13 Chinese aircraft around the island, condemning these "irrational" actions. It noted that it "will defend its national security with solid combat readiness."
It revealed that "four of the monitored aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait and entered the southeast part of the air defense identification zone (ADIZ)." The ministry added that the Chinese military exercises threaten "stability and security" in the region, indicating that China "used President Tsai's visit and transit in the United States as a pretext for military drills that seriously undermine peace, stability, and security in the region."
In a statement from the People's Liberation Army, Eastern Theater Command spokesman Colonel Shi Yi said that the "United Sharp Sword" maneuvers will include periodic police drills in the Taiwan Strait, pointing out that "these operations serve as a stern warning against collusion between separatist forces seeking Taiwan's independence and external powers, as well as their provocative activities." The exact location of these drills has not been specified. The narrowest part of the strait between the Chinese coast and Taiwan is about 130 kilometers wide.
Taiwan's President stated today that her country is looking forward to further strengthening security cooperation with the United States during a meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation led by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Taipei, Michael McCaul. McCaul announced that the U.S. will provide training for the Taiwan military "for peace," adding, "We are here in Taiwan to provide our strong support."
On Monday, the Chinese army will conduct live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait near the coast of Fujian Province (east) opposite the island, according to local maritime authorities on Saturday. The area of concern is around Pingtan, the closest point on the mainland of China to Taiwan, based on coordinates provided by Fujian maritime authorities on Friday.
This incident provoked "anger" from Beijing, with the Taiwan Affairs Office in China reiterating in a statement published shortly before President Tsai's plane landed that it opposed her visit to the United States, which was described as a "transit trip," even though her most important meetings occurred during this time. The statement read, "What is described as a transit trip is in fact a provocation relying on the United States in pursuit of independence." However, the statement did not announce any specific "retaliatory" measures.
Tsai met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while in Los Angeles on Wednesday, which angered Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory. For its part, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense denied a Taiwanese media report about 30 minutes before the plane's landing, which claimed that her aircraft faced "unknown jamming," stating that this was incorrect. The ministry indicated that nevertheless, a special military force was deployed "to supervise the entire operation," including naval and air forces for guarding.
Tsai traveled on a specially chartered "A350" plane from China Airlines, which is Taiwan-owned. China had conducted military drills around Taiwan last August following a visit from then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei.
