According to Chinese officials, the recent increase in military exercises and fighter missions near Beijing (AP) -Taiwan has raised concerns in the region, but is needed to protect the country’s sovereignty and territory. rice field.
Chinese troops flew 56 planes from the southwest coast of Taiwan on the first day of this month. This is a one-day record that concludes the four days of a sustained pressure campaign with 149 flights. Although everyone was in international airspace, the exhibition raised the fear that any failure could cause unintended escalations in the region.
Taiwan sees China’s move as promoting the threat of putting China’s alleged islands under military control as needed. During the civil war of 1949, the two camps split and there is no official contact information.
The purpose of this operation was “to fundamentally protect the overall interests of the Chinese people and the significant interests of the people on both sides of the Straits of Taiwan,” said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Secretariat of the Cabinet. Stated.
“People’s Liberation Army exercises are a necessary action to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ma told reporters at a biweekly press conference in Beijing.
Ma denounced the relationship between Taiwan’s independence-oriented, democratically elected government actions and “external forces” to increase tensions.
External observers say military exercises are aimed at countering civilians to their leaders in the form of psychological warfare, while reducing Taiwan’s physical defense capabilities through wear and tear.
Taiwan, a close ally of the United States, scrambled jets to intercept Chinese aircraft and activate missile air defense systems. We are also working to strengthen our defense capabilities by purchasing new technology from the United States and developing a domestic system that includes submarines.
Opinion polls show that the majority of Taiwanese are in favor of maintaining a de facto independent position without giving in to China’s demands for political unity.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed to protect the island from growing pressure from China on Sunday after a week of unprecedented tensions with Beijing.
She said the day after Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the annexation of Taiwan “must be realized”, it was best brought about by peaceful means.
However, Xi added, “We must not underestimate the strong determination of the Chinese people, their will and ability to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Such rhetoric is well known, but many have a desire to solve what China calls the “Taiwan problem” and Taiwan’s guidance to maintain the status quo of de facto independence. We see an increasing likelihood of conflict arising from the determination of the person.
Earlier this month, Taiwan’s defense minister, Chiu Kuo-chen, believed that China was in the most serious situation in 40 years since joining the army and that China had a “comprehensive” ability to invade Taiwan by 2025.
In a meeting with journalists this week, political scientist Sherry Rigger said the situation seemed more serious but was likely used as a deterrent.
“So I try to discourage Taiwan from imagining that it has some opportunity to change its position, and it’s more difficult for the United States to provide assistance to Taiwan and for Taiwan to siege.” Rigger, who has been observing Taiwanese politics for many years at Davidson College in North Carolina, said.
“I also think there is an element that the PLA will test its own operational capabilities, so it’s like killing two birds with one stone. You’re sending a powerful message to Taiwan and the United States. You get at least more flight time for military personnel, “Rigger said.