China announces drills near Taiwan following VP Lai's return from Paraguay
ROC Central News Agency
08/19/2023 12:57 PM
Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted military drills on Saturday near Taiwan proper, as a "stern warning" to Taiwan independence separatists for colluding with "foreign elements" and in response to their "provocations," according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese PLA on Saturday launched joint air and sea patrols, and navy and air force military exercises near Taiwan proper, according to the Chinese government mouthpiece.
"The patrols and exercises are meant to train the coordination of military vessels and airplanes and their ability to seize control of air and sea spaces," Shi Yi (施毅), a spokesperson for the command, said, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The armed forces' ability to fight in real combat conditions will be tested, Shi said, adding that the patrols and exercises serve as a stern warning to "the collusion of Taiwan independence separatists with foreign elements and their provocations," according to Xinhua News Agency.
The announcement came one day after Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) returned to Taiwan following a visit to Paraguay, Taiwan's South American diplomatic ally, from Aug. 12-18.
During the trip, Lai made two stopovers in the U.S. - the first in New York on Aug. 12 local time and the second in San Francisco on Aug. 16 local time. He was greeted by Taiwan's Representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) in New York and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger along with Hsiao at San Francisco International Airport.
As of press time, the scope of the planned drills had not been announced by China's Maritime Safety Administration or through other official channels.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) condemned the planned PLA drills, calling them "irrational and provocative."
The military will deploy an appropriate amount of force in response to the situation, the MND said.
(By Sean Lin)
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