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J-15 fighter jets on the deck of the Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning during a naval drill in the East China Sea this week. Photo: Agence France-Presse

China warns of more action after military drills near Taiwan

Aim of the military exercises is to thwart any moves towards formal independence on the island, say mainland government spokesman

Taiwan

A series of Chinese military drills near Taiwan were designed to send a clear message to the self-ruled island and Beijing will take further steps if Taiwan independence forces persist in doing as they please, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Over the past year or so, Beijing has ramped up military drills around democratic Taiwan, including flying bombers and other military aircraft around the island. Mainland China also carried out drills in the sensitive Taiwan Strait last week.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its sacred territory and its hostility towards the island has grown after President Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party was elected two years ago.

Beijing has been issuing increasingly strident calls for Taiwan to toe the line, even as Tsai has pledged to maintain the status quo and keep the peace.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (left) reviewing a naval drill on board a warship in the East China Sea earlier this month. Photo: EPA-EFE

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told a regular press briefing the message the People’s Liberation Army was sending with its exercises was extremely clear.

“We have the resolute will, full confidence and sufficient ability to foil any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and moves and to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ma said. “If Taiwan independence forces continue to do as they please, we will take further steps,” he added, without giving details.

The military’s drills are aimed at protecting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the interests of people on both sides of it, Ma said.

Amid the growing tension with Beijing, Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Tuesday it would simulate repelling an invading force, emergency repairs of a major airbase and using civilian operated drones as part of military exercises starting next week.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Beijing warns of further action after military drills
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