China’s military maneuvers surrounding the self-ruled island have been slammed as “irrational provocations” by Taiwan’s defense minister.
The drills take place barely three days after Taiwanese President William Lai was inaugurated, whom Beijing has labeled a “separatist” and a “troublemaker”.
They are taking place all across the main island, as well as on Taipei-controlled islands Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.
According to a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) spokeswoman, they are a “strong punishment” for “separatist acts”.
Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that naval, aviation, and ground forces have been despatched to “defend the [island’s] sovereignty”.
China’s military claimed its drills focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrols, precise strikes on critical targets, and integrated operations inside and outside the island to test its “joint real combat capabilities”
