Chinese military exercises near Taiwan are a “solemn warning to external forces,” Beijing said yesterday, after the new US government expressed strong support for Taiwan.
The US Department of State over the weekend said that US commitment to Taiwan was “rock-solid,” as Taiwan reported multiple Chinese jets and bombers had flown into its air defense identification zone.
Taiwan issued warnings and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the flyover, which on Saturday consisted of bombers, fighter jets and anti-submarine aircraft.
Photo: CNA
The department later a statement urging China “to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan” following China’s sizeable show of force.
China then sent 16 military aircraft into the same area on Sunday, the Ministry of National Defense said.
Beijing yesterday defended the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exercises as necessary to “safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
They “solemnly warn external forces to stop interference and sternly warn ... separatist forces to stop provocations,” said Zhu Fenglian (朱鳳蓮), spokeswoman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
Zhu said that China reserves the option to “take all measures” to deal with interference, including the use of force.
Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, but remains the nation’s most important unofficial ally and military backer.
Former US president Donald Trump embraced warmer ties with Taiwan as he feuded with China on issues like trade and national security.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has offered Taiwan cause for optimism for continued support aside from the “rock-solid” comment.
Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) was formally invited to Biden’s inauguration, a precedent-setting first since 1979.
The department also called on China to engage in dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected representatives.
Zhu yesterday said the “Taiwan issue” was the “most important and sensitive core issue in China-US relations.”
Additional reporting by AP, with staff writer
TRAFFIC SAFETY RULES: A positive result in a drug test would result in a two-year license suspension for the driver and vehicle, and a fine of up to NT$180,000 The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is to authorize police to conduct roadside saliva tests by the end of the year to deter people from driving while under the influence of narcotics, it said yesterday. The ministry last month unveiled a draft of amended regulations governing traffic safety rules and penalties, which included provisions empowering police to conduct mandatory saliva tests on drivers. While currently rules authorize police to use oral fluid testing kits for signs of drug use, they do not establish penalties for noncompliance or operating procedures for officers to follow, the ministry said. The proposed changes to the regulations require
The Executive Yuan yesterday announced that registration for a one-time universal NT$10,000 cash handout to help people in Taiwan survive US tariffs and inflation would start on Nov. 5, with payouts available as early as Nov. 12. Who is eligible for the handout? Registered Taiwanese nationals are eligible, including those born in Taiwan before April 30 next year with a birth certificate. Non-registered nationals with residence permits, foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits also qualify for the handouts. For people who meet the eligibility requirements, but passed away between yesterday and April 30 next year, surviving family members
Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan would issue a decision at 8pm on whether to cancel work and school tomorrow due to forecasted heavy rain, Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) said today. Hsieh told reporters that absent some pressing reason, the four northern cities would announce the decision jointly at 8pm. Keelung is expected to receive between 300mm and 490mm of rain in the period from 2pm today through 2pm tomorrow, Central Weather Administration data showed. Keelung City Government regulations stipulate that school and work can be canceled if rain totals in mountainous or low-elevation areas are forecast to exceed 350mm in
China Airlines Ltd (CAL) yesterday morning joined SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge for the fourth time, operating a demonstration flight for “net zero carbon emissions” from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Bangkok. The flight used sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a ratio of up to 40 percent, the highest proportion CAL has achieved to date, the nation’s largest carrier said. Since April, SAF has become available to Taiwanese international carriers at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport), Kaohsiung International Airport and Taoyuan airport. In previous challenges, CAL operated “net zero carbon emission flights” to Singapore and Japan. At a ceremony at Taoyuan airport, China Airlines chief sustainability
RSS