《TAIPEI TIMES》 China conducts ‘strike drills’ around Taiwan

‘NECESSARY’: Beijing said the drills, which coincided with city and county leaders taking up their posts, were a reaction to a ‘provocation’ by Taiwan and the US

/ Reuters, BEIJING

China’s military said it staged “strike drills” in the sea and airspace around Taiwan yesterday in response to an unspecified “provocation” by Taipei and Washington.

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China staged war games around Taiwan in August following a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and on Saturday it condemned the US for a new defense authorization law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan.

In a brief statement, the Eastern Theater Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said it had carried out “joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills” around Taiwan, although it did not specify the exact location.

“This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan,” it said, without giving details.

“Theater forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.

The Ministry of National Defense reported that eight Chinese military aircraft and three naval ships had been detected near Taiwan between 6am on Saturday and 6am yesterday.

Taiwanese fighter jets were deployed to warn the Chinese aircraft, and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor the activities, it said.

The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. US arms sales to Taiwan are a constant irritant in Beijing’s relations with Washington.

The Chinese drills coincided with newly elected city mayors and county leaders in Taiwan taking up their positions following last month’s local elections, in which the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was trounced.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

Additional reporting by staff writer

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES