2LT International News

TAIPEI, Taiwan: In response to Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, the self-governing island has mobilized jets, missile systems, and naval and land units.

This move comes just days after Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan’s new president.

The Chinese military announced the two-day exercises as a punitive measure against what it calls separatist forces in Taiwan. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and regularly sends navy ships and warplanes into the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas to wear down Taiwan’s defenses and intimidate its citizens.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry condemned the exercises, stating they undermine regional peace and stability. “This pretext for conducting military exercises not only does not contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but also shows its hegemonic nature at heart,” the ministry said, affirming Taiwan’s readiness to defend itself if necessary.

In his inaugural address, President Lai Ching-te called on Beijing to cease its military intimidation and pledged that Taiwan would “neither yield nor provoke.” On Thursday, during a visit to a marine base in Taoyuan, Lai emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining its democratic values and addressing external threats.

“Facing external challenges and threats, we will continue to uphold the values of freedom and democracy,” Lai told sailors and top security officials.

Lai has expressed a desire for dialogue with Beijing while maintaining Taiwan’s current status and avoiding conflicts that could draw in the U.S. and regional partners such as Japan and Australia.

The opposition Nationalist Party (KMT), which is generally seen as pro-China, also criticized Beijing’s actions. The KMT called on China to exercise restraint and avoid conflict in the Taiwan Strait, urging peace and development between the two sides.

Protests erupted outside Taiwan’s legislature as demonstrators opposed the Nationalist Party’s attempts to push through legislation affecting military budgets and judicial appointments.

The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command stated that the land, navy, and air exercises aim to test joint strike capabilities and serve as a warning to separatist forces and external provocations. The PLA released a map showing the exercise areas surrounding Taiwan and its outlying islands like Matsu and Kinmen, which are closer to the Chinese mainland.

China’s coast guard also conducted law enforcement drills near islands close to Kinmen and Matsu, which Taiwan controls.

In response to China’s actions, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, called on Asia-Pacific nations to condemn the exercises. Speaking in Australia, he emphasized the importance of regional condemnation alongside U.S. statements.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, visiting the U.S., highlighted the shared values between Japan and Taiwan, including freedom and democracy.

“(Taiwan) is our extremely important partner that we have close economic relations and exchanges of people, and is our precious friend,” Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters in Washington, where she held talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, a crucial waterway for global shipping.