China makes major show of force with war games near Taiwan – DW .
China makes major show of force with war games near Taiwan
China again conducted air and sea exercises around Taiwan. The self-ruled island condemned this “provocative act.” Taiwan’s Coast Guard detained also a Chinese citizen making “illegal crossing” to an outlying island.
China’s military began a new round of military drills near Taiwan on Monday in what it said was a “warning” against “separatist acts by Taiwan independence forces.” No date was given for the drills to end.
“Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are irreconcilable,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
She added that “provocations from pro-independence forces will inevitably face countermeasures.”
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has been outspoken against Beijing, vowed to “protect democratic Taiwan, and safeguard national security”, while his Defense Ministry said it had dispatched “appropriate forces.”
He added that his government is not seeking to escalate the conflict with China.
