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Taiwan’s military has identified Chinese naval vessels to reassure the public amid growing concerns that the Chinese government may increase pressure on Taiwan following the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s victory in this month’s presidential election. They practiced mock attacks.
As part of the exercise, a fast minelayer laid a dummy mine on Wednesday about 10 nautical miles outside Zuoying Naval Base on Taiwan’s southwest coast.
Marines aboard a group of M109 amphibious assault craft also accompanied them, four missile speedboats secured nearby waters, and a land-based task force simulated the launch of Xiongho anti-ship missiles against enemy ships.
A day earlier, Taiwan’s air force unveiled a P-3C patrol aircraft (capable of monitoring and targeting enemy submarines with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and torpedoes) and an E-2K early warning aircraft.
The drills come as Taiwan’s government and security analysts expect China to step up its military operations around the island, which it claims as its own and threatens to take over by force if necessary. It was held in
In the latest example of Beijing’s efforts to undermine the morale of Taiwan’s people, Chinese government officials said on Wednesday that if Donald Trump is re-elected president in November, he will be able to protect Taiwan’s most important national security. He suggested that the United States, a major supporter of Taiwan, was likely to sacrifice Taiwan.
“The United States always pursues an ‘America first’ policy,” said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the China Taiwan Affairs Office. “Taiwan could change from a ‘chess piece’ to a ‘sacrificial chess piece’ at any time.”
Chen responded to a question about a Fox News interview from last July in which President Trump refused to commit to defending Taiwan from Chinese attack, saying that doing so would put him at a “disadvantaged negotiating position.” He said it would be. He also said that Taiwan is “[took] All about our chip business. ”
Taiwanese people’s confidence in the reliability of U.S. aid has been shaken in recent years, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led many to consider the risk of a Chinese attack more real.
This week’s military exercises were clearly aimed at boosting public confidence. Lt. Col. Chen Kunyuan, one of the naval officers who participated in the training, said, “We assure the people that our military is always monitoring the enemy’s situation and has high capabilities to protect the country’s security.” Ta. Have a peaceful Lunar New Year without any worries. ”
In the run-up to the presidential election, the Chinese Communist Party frequently claimed that Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-de would lead Taiwan to war, but Beijing’s reaction to his victory was muted.
Still, Taiwan’s national security officials said they expected the People’s Liberation Army to resume large-scale exercises around the island after March, when China’s military exercise season begins.
Taipei also protested this week against Beijing’s decision to change civil air routes across the strait separating the two countries, bringing Chinese planes closer to the unofficial median line. Beijing did not consult Taiwan’s government on the move, which takes effect Thursday.
“Chinese aircraft may end up flying over the border if they have to adjust their flight paths due to weather conditions,” said Colonel Sun Lifang, a spokesman for Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense. The changes will increase the burden on Taiwan’s military, which monitors air traffic to provide early warning of an air invasion by Chinese forces.
Over the past three years, the People’s Liberation Army has consistently increased the frequency, scale, and sophistication of its naval and air exercises around Taiwan, including passages over and in the waters southwest of the island, including this week’s Taiwan’s exercises were focused there.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday afternoon that 22 Chinese military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, flew near the island, and 11 of them crossed the median line.
The training covered areas of critical importance to wartime submarine operations. It’s where the shallow waters of the Taiwan Strait (where the noise can hide Chinese attack submarines) meets the deeper South China Sea and Bashi Strait, where U.S. submarines can approach from their bases. In Guam.
Additional reporting from Beijing by Wenjie Ding