DEFENSE/Taiwan condemns China’s military drills as ‘irrational provocations’

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday condemned China for its “irrational” and “provocative” actions following China's announcement earlier that day that it had launched military drills around Taiwan as a “stern warning” to those who promote Taiwan independence.

The ministry “strongly condemns this irrational and provocative behavior and has dispatched appropriate forces… to respond, taking concrete actions to safeguard freedom, democracy and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China,” the MND said in a statement. 

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced Monday that it had launched military drills code-named "Joint Sword-2024B," involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.” 

The drills focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, blockade on key ports and areas, and assault on maritime and ground targets, according to the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command. 

China’s announcement of military drills came four days after President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) gave his National Day address, in which he said China has "no right to represent Taiwan" and reiterated that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are "not subordinate" to each other.

The MND said Monday that the president’s National Day speech highlighted the current state of cross-strait relations and his firm determination to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while also advocating for cross-strait cooperation in addressing climate change and epidemic prevention. 

The MND said it is actually the Chinese Communist Party that is intensifying cross-strait tensions and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, adding that the military will continue to enhance its deterrence capability and strengthen the resilience of its military force to safeguard national security. 

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) dismissed the military exercises as an “open provocation” to peace and the world’s democracies, which prove that China’s 2022 “Global Security Initiative” is nothing but “lies.”

The MAC “strongly condemns” Beijing’s actions to harm regional security and "destroy" the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, the agency said, adding that the Republic of China would not “be bowed” or “submit” in the face of China’s military threats.

(By Christie Chen)

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