China Reinforces Taiwan Invasion Threat with Military Drills Right After US Delegation Visit

Last updated on October 25th, 2022 at 07:07 am

China conducted military exercises near Taiwan on 15th Apr, officials reported, just after a few hours a senior US team arrived for talks.

As per a government announcement, the Chinese army sent warships, bombers, and fighter jets to the East China Water and conducted multi-arms joint battle ready operations in the sea as well as airspace around Taiwan.

The decision was made to offset the US government’s regular “false signals,” according to the statement, which did not identify the visiting group.

“The United States’ misbehavior and deception are entirely pointless and extremely dangerous,” the statement concluded.

Unresolved, Long-term Conflict

After a 1949 war, China and Taiwan separated, but Beijing claims possession of the self-governing territory and wants to annex it to the mainland.

Beijing uses provocative drills to display power, but Taiwan has reported about increased military action in the last 2 years, including almost everyday air force flights within Taiwan’s air defense region, but not near to the island itself.

The Russian attack on Ukraine has sparked fears of Chinese aggression, putting Taipei on red alert.

This week, the Taiwanese military began fresh drills. Approximately 15,000 reserve soldiers are participating in intensive, live-fire scenarios that will last for the majority of 2022.

Taiwan’s main unofficial ally, the United States, has increased weapons deliveries to the island in the past few years.

During an annual military rehearsal in Taichung, central Taiwan, Taiwan special forces men walk following an armored vehicle. To Beijing’s chagrin, the US has continued unofficial connections with Taiwan.

US Presence Sent a Strong Message to China

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who is visiting Taiwan, said that Taiwan’s security has “global implications” because it is the world’s largest supplier of semiconductor chips used in vehicles and phones. It’s the second high-level visit to the United States in less than two months.

“Democracies must fortify their affiliations and cooperatively we can shield ourselves from the challenges posed by authoritarian governments that attempt to undermine peace and stability,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen remarked at the meeting, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who chaired the group of six, stated that China’s military actions and support for Russia’s assault in Ukraine had brought the United States together behind Taiwan.

Graham told President Tsai, “We’re going to start having China pay a higher price for what they’re doing across the world. We will support you!”