The red, shaded squares encircle the island of Taiwan. The major Chinese military exercise Joint Sword-2024B started on Monday. Chinese authorities published the map showing the areas they are practicing in. The exercise includes, among other things, simulated attacks against targets on land and at sea. You don’t know how long it will last. – China’s military exercise is disturbing peace and stability in the region, writes Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te in a Facebook post. He promises to protect the island: – In the face of such external threats, I want to assure my countrymen that the government will continue to defend the democratic and liberal constitutional system, protect the democracy of Taiwan and protect national security. Provoked by the National Day speech, Taiwan registered 25 Chinese aircraft and 11 ships at 8 a.m. local time on Monday. 16 of the planes have crossed the so-called median line, an unofficial border between China and Taiwan. – We are monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly, writes Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense in a message on X. – We strongly condemn China’s irrational and provocative actions and will send in appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty, they emphasize. An employee of the Taiwanese coastguard points to what is supposed to be a Chinese ship on the horizon. The photo was shared by the Taiwan Coast Guard on October 14. Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard / AFP The exercise takes place just a few days after Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te spoke on the island’s National Day on Thursday last week. – Taiwan remains unchanged in its determination to defend its sovereignty and in seeking equal and dignified dialogue with China, said Lai. China called the statement provocative. In the days since, Taiwan has been on alert for a Chinese military exercise. Before the weekend, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China against using the statement as a pretext for provocative actions. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te during the National Day celebrations last week. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying / AP / NTB – The exercise is a strong warning against the separatist actions of Taiwan’s independence forces, according to a statement from the Chinese military, according to Reuters. Facts about China and Taiwan China and Taiwan have been separated since 1949 when the Communists won the Chinese Civil War and took over power on the mainland. The defeated Nationalists sought refuge on the island of Taiwan. China is formally called the People’s Republic of China, while Taiwan is called the Republic of China. China has threatened to intervene against Taiwan if the island’s authorities declare formal independence. China boycotts countries that establish diplomatic ties with the island. Only eleven countries, most of them small island states, currently have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. But the US is considered an informal ally of Taiwan. In 1979, the United States recognized that Taiwan is part of “one China” and that the government in Beijing represents all of China. Taiwan governs itself as a separate country. The island has its own flag, its own national assembly and its own defence. They have introduced a democratic form of government with elections and a multi-party system. Taiwan has a population of around 23.5 million people, while China has almost 1.4 billion inhabitants. (NTB/news) – It is a legitimate and necessary operation to protect the state’s sovereignty and national unity, it continues. Among other things, China is practicing blocking Taiwan’s ports. But they have not announced that they will fire live ammunition during the exercise. Nor has a no-fly zone been introduced. The US condemns the exercise On Monday, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te summoned the National Security Council to a meeting. Security Council chief Joseph Wu stressed to journalists that the exercise contradicts the UN’s goal of finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. The US was quick to condemn the military exercise around Taiwan and call it unjustified. – The US is seriously concerned about China’s military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, says spokesperson Matthew Miller in the US State Department in a press release. A Taiwanese fighter jet takes off from a military base in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, on Monday. Photo: I-HWA CHENG / AFP He warns that the exercise could lead to an escalation of the tense situation between China and Taiwan. Monday’s exercise, Joint Sword-2024B, is the fourth major Chinese military exercise around Taiwan in the past four years. It comes as no surprise. In May, China conducted the Joint Sword-2024A exercise, which lasted two days. It happened right after the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te. Analysts pointed out that the year and the letter “A” in the name indicated that the exercise was part of an upcoming series. Taiwan considers itself an independent country. However, China believes that Taiwan is part of China and wants reunification. – Reunification with the motherland is historically inevitable, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his New Year’s speech this year. China has previously called President Lai a “dangerous separatist”. When he and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the election earlier this year, some thought it could increase tensions with China. Published 14.10.2024, at 04.53 Updated 14.10.2024, at 08.04
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