Taiwan sent forces on Wednesday in response to China‘s “live-fire” drills off the self-ruled island, Taipei’s defense ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous. China deployed 32 aircraft near Taiwan as part of a joint combat drill with Chinese warships and announced “live-fire exercises” in an area about 40 nautical miles off the democratically governed island’s south, the ministry said in a statement.
Taiwan’s military responded by sending sea, air and land forces to “monitor, alert and respond appropriately,” the statement said.
China’s People’s Liberation Army “has blatantly violated international norms by unilaterally designating a drill zone 40 NM off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, claiming to conduct live-fire exercises without prior warning,” the ministry said. “This move not only caused a high degree of danger to the safety of international flights and vessels at sea, but is also a blatant provocation to regional security and stability.”
Taiwan has naval and air bases in Kaohsiung and Pingtung.
China has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the island, which Taipei rejects. Beijing has also been more assertive in displays of military force around other islands in the region over which it has competing territorial claims with other nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said China’s move “is completely contrary to its repeated claims of ‘peaceful coexistence’ principles” and vowed to “continue our efforts in force buildup and readiness.”
