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
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