On Saturday, China began conducting military exercises surrounding Taiwan as a "stern warning" after expressing displeasure over the island's vice president, William Lai, visiting the United States.
Taiwan asserted that the people of its islands will stand their ground and not be intimidated by the Chinese military. Taiwan officials said that as China is a sovereign nation with the freedom to forge alliances with other nations, it should stop using force and instead turn to negotiation.
Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command "launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and air force around the island of Taiwan," according to military spokeswoman Shi Yi, as reported by state media source Xinhua.
According to Xinhua, the drills were designed to gauge the PLA's proficiency.
They also were intended to serve as “a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations,” it added.
China claims Taiwan and has not ruled out using force to seize it.
It launched major military exercises after Nancy Pelosi, then House speaker, visited Taiwan last year and later when President Tsai Ing-wen met top US lawmakers as she transited through the United States.
Taiwan asserted that the people of its islands will stand their ground and not be intimidated by the Chinese military. Taiwan officials said that as China is a sovereign nation with the freedom to forge alliances with other nations, it should stop using force and instead turn to negotiation.
Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command "launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and air force around the island of Taiwan," according to military spokeswoman Shi Yi, as reported by state media source Xinhua.
According to Xinhua, the drills were designed to gauge the PLA's proficiency.
They also were intended to serve as “a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations,” it added.
China claims Taiwan and has not ruled out using force to seize it.
It launched major military exercises after Nancy Pelosi, then House speaker, visited Taiwan last year and later when President Tsai Ing-wen met top US lawmakers as she transited through the United States.
