The Chinese army conducted a simulation of launching precision strikes on Taiwan in the second day of exercises around the island, yesterday, while the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that the sorties
Several air strikes were carried out and that they are monitoring the Chinese missile forces.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory, and yesterday began three-day military exercises around the island, a day following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a short visit to the United States.
Chinese state television reported that combat readiness patrols and exercises around Taiwan would continue. He added, “Under the unified order issued by the Joint Operations Theater Command Center, types of weapons were carried out
Several units simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on the island of Taiwan and the surrounding maritime areas, and will remain in attack mode around the island.
A source familiar with the security situation in the region told Archyde.com that China is simulating air and sea attacks on foreign military targets off the southwestern coast of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had spotted 58 Chinese aircraft, including Su-30 fighters and H-6 bombers, as well as nine ships around the island as of midday yesterday.
The ministry added that it pays special attention to the People’s Liberation Army missile force, which is responsible for the Chinese missile system on the ground. And the ministry added: “Regarding the movements of the Chinese missile force, the Taiwan army also has a close understanding of the joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system, and the air defense forces remain on high alert.” She stressed that Taiwan forces will not escalate conflicts or cause conflicts, and will respond appropriately to China’s exercises.
A security source said that regarding 20 military ships, half of them Chinese and the other half from Taiwan, are present face to face near the middle line of the Taiwan Strait, but they did not act provocatively. The middle line has been an unofficial dividing line between the two for years.
The source added that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong is now more than 400 nautical miles off the coast of southeastern Taiwan and is conducting exercises. Taiwan has been monitoring the aircraft carrier since last week.
For its part, the United States called on China to exercise restraint, and the US State Department said: “Our channels of communication with the People’s Republic of China are still open, and we always call for restraint and not to change the status quo.”
