Taiwan announced, yesterday, that Chinese warships and aircraft continued their presence in the surrounding waters, the day following Beijing announced the end of major military exercises near the island, which China considers an integral part of its territory.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said that it had detected nine warships and 26 Chinese aircraft in the vicinity of the island yesterday, adding that Chinese military aircraft crossed the center line from the north and south.
Last Saturday, China launched military maneuvers around Taiwan for three days, during which it simulated raids on specific targets, and to strike a cordon around the island. These maneuvers came in response to a meeting that took place last week between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy. in ca.
The President of Taiwan denounced these military maneuvers, saying that China is using the pretext of relations between Taipei and Washington to launch military maneuvers that cause instability in Taiwan and the region.
She added, “Despite the end of the Chinese military maneuvers, our army and our national security team remain ready to defend the country.”
Washington, which has repeatedly called on Beijing to exercise restraint, sent the US destroyer Milius, the day before yesterday, to an area in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing, including it in the framework of “freedom of navigation”, and China immediately condemned this incursion.
In addition, yesterday, the United States and the Philippines launched the largest joint military exercises in their history, while the two allies are trying to stand up to China’s rising influence in the region.
About 18,000 soldiers are taking part in the exercises, which will include, for the first time, live fire in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost completely.
“To protect our sovereign territory, we must practice retaking an island that was taken from us,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Colonel Michael Lojico told reporters following the commencement ceremony at a military barracks in Manila.