The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) yesterday condemned China’s latest military drills around Taiwan, while the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) expressed regrets over Beijing’s actions.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) early yesterday announced that it had launched the drills, called “Joint Sword-2024B,” in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwanese independence forces.”
The announcement came four days after President William Lai (賴清德) delivered his first Double Ten National Day address, in which he said the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has “no right to represent Taiwan” and reiterated that the two sides of the Strait are “not subordinate” to each other.
Photo: Reuters
The DPP said the exercises would not stop Taiwan’s pursuit of democracy, civil liberties and peace, nor would they alter the “status quo” in the Strait.
Lai extended a message of goodwill to the PRC during his speech, which the international community acknowledged as inspiring confidence and projecting stability, it said.
It is unfortunate that China has distorted the meaning of Lai’s speech, it said, adding that the military drills contravene international law, go against the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and endanger the safety of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people.
The DPP urged China to recognize the Republic of China’s status as equals and to abandon their strategy of military escalation, as it only further unifies the commitment of Taiwanese to protect their sovereignty and democracy, and is counterproductive to regional peace.
The KMT said the drills severely threaten regional security and undermine cross-strait ties.
Instead of confrontation, both sides should engage in “exchanges and dialogue,” it said, adding that the drills have significantly disrupted regional transportation routes and supply chains.
The KMT said it supports increasing defense spending, especially to further develop the country’s asymmetric warfare capabilities, as well as to enhance Taiwan’s ability to deter China’s aggression.
It also urged the government to abide by the Constitution regarding Taiwan’s political status and to improve cross-strait relations to minimize risks within the Strait.
TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) asked on what legal grounds could China justify the provocative military exercises.
Regardless of the content of Lai’s speech, it is subject to judgement and criticism by Taiwanese, and it was not the business of “communist China,” he added.
China’s behavior would not win it any support within Taiwan, and would only further alienate Taiwanese, he said.
The TPP resolutely opposes China’s military aggression, he said, adding that China should cease its detrimental actions and seek to engage with Taiwan through goodwill gestures.
Additional reporting by CNA
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