[ad_1]
China said on August 17 that fighters, anti-submarines and combatants conducted assault training in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the island near Taiwan, and that the armed forces were responding to “external interference.”
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command in a short statement released on Tuesday The drill said “Using real troops,” “the recent US-Taiwan provocation … has made a serious breach of peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan, which is virtually an independent country but claims to be its own, has said that China’s military exercises have been repeated for nearly two years as part of a pressure campaign to force the island to accept. I’m complaining. Chinese sovereignty.
Assault training is different from the PLA’s routine training. According to a statement by the People’s Liberation Army, training on Tuesday took place in the southwestern and southeastern waters of Taiwan, both in the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea, and near the Bashi Strait, which connects the two seas.
“It is special and rare for the PLA to conduct military exercises in both seas. In a military sense, the PLA wants to show that it can cut the U.S. Navy’s transport line to the South China Sea via the Bashi Strait. ing. [from the Philippine Sea]”Taiwan National Defense and Security Research Institute’s Defense Strategy and Resources Division Chief, Mr. Sonko, told The Epoch Times on August 17th.[The drills are] Certainly a threat to Taiwan. “
Assault drill
The PLA suddenly announced training, but did not provide details. The Taiwanese side closely monitored the training and released relevant information.
The Taiwan Ministry of Defense said on its official website that 11 PLA aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Tuesday. This includes six J-16 fighters, two H-6K bombers, one Y-8Q anti-submarine aircraft, and one Y-8G long-range jammer. , And one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
In a statement, the ministry said it had a good grasp of and evaluated the sea and air conditions and said it was “preparing for various responses.”
“Provocation”
The US Parliament enacted the Taiwan Relations Act on April 10, 1979, and supported Taiwan with respect for Beijing.
The PLA’s alleged “provocation” in a statement on August 17 could include a meeting held last week, where US and Taiwan Coast Guard officers discussed cooperation and improved communication. ..
On August 4, the US State Department approved the sale of $ 750 million worth of military equipment to Taiwan. This includes 40 self-propelled artillery, 20 field ammunition support vehicles, and other equipment. This also offended Beijing.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nicole Hao is a Washington-based reporter focused on topics related to China. Prior to joining the Epoch Media Group in July 2009, he was Global Product Manager for the Railroad business in Paris, France.
[ad_2]