BEIJING: China’s Military said it had conducted “Strike drills” in sea and airspace around Taiwan in response to unspecified “Provocation” from democratically-governed island and United States.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained of repeated Chinese Military activity nearby over past three years or so as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty.

China staged war games around Taiwan in August following visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and it condemned United States for new defence authorisation law that boosts military assistance for Taiwan.

In brief statement, Eastern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said it had carried out “Joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills” around Taiwan, though it did not specify exact location. “This is resolute response to current escalation of collusion and provocation from United States and Taiwan,” it added, without giving details. “Theatre forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Taiwan’s Defence Ministry declined immediate comment. United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite absence of formal diplomatic ties. US arms sales to Taiwan are constant irritant in Beijing’s relations with Washington.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 26 2022

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