Taiwan accused China of military intimidation after Beijing announced live-fire drills. It comes after Japan’s prime minister said Tokyo could potentially intervene to defend the self-governing island.ConflictsChina
Japan’s growing engagement with Taiwan angers China
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing are worsening over Taiwan, yet China may be exercising restraint and waiting for the right moment to hit back.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te receives Koichi Hagiuda, Japan’s ruling LDP’s executive acting secretary general, in the presidential office in Taipei
Hagiuda Koichi’s visit to Taiwan comes with diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing at their lowest in yearsImage: Liu Shu fu/Office of the President
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China has condemned a visit by a group of senior Japanese politicians to Taiwan as another example of Tokyo meddling in internal affairs.
Beijing is ramping up accusations that Japan is swerving back to the militarism that led to catastrophic conflict across the Asia-Pacific region in the early decades of the last century.
Tensions between the two East Asian powers have been rising after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responded to a question in parliament last month by saying that any “contingency” involving Taiwan would also inevitably threaten the national security of Japan.
Beijing claims the island is part of China and insists it will be “reunited” with the mainland, by force if necessary. The pressure on Taiwan has increased in recent years and there are growing fears that China will attempt to seize the island.
Analysts say that successive Japanese governments have long held the same position on the Taiwan situation, but not previously stated it. The more forthright Takaichi, however, has been more explicit and is incurring Beijing’s wrath.
Japan’s Taiwan outreach tests China’s patience
Koichi Hagiuda, one of Takaichi’s most trusted advisers, led a Japanese delegation to the self-ruled island this week, where Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te expressed his gratitude for Takaichi’s friendship and her support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Speaking at his office in Taipei on Monday, Lai reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, adding that the people of Taiwan “sincerely appreciate” Japan’s support.
Japan’s growing engagement with Taiwan angers China
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing are worsening over Taiwan, yet China may be exercising restraint and waiting for the right moment to hit back.
China has conducted a number of air and sea military drills around Taiwan in the past
China stages drills around Taiwan to deter ‘external’ forces
Taiwan accused China of military intimidation after Beijing announced live-fire drills. It comes after Japan’s prime minister said Tokyo could potentially intervene to defend the self-governing island.
China has conducted a number of air and sea military drills around Taiwan in the past
China announced “major” military exercises around Taiwan on Monday amid rising tensions with Japan over the status of the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.
The military exercises, named “Just Mission 2025,” will involve live-fire drills starting on Tuesday, China’s military initially said. But later on Monday, the military said it already carried out live-fire drills “on maritime targets to the north and southwest of Taiwan.”
“This serves as a serious warning to ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Shi Yi, a spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.
“The exercise focuses on training for maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control, sealing off key ports and areas and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence.”
Taiwan vows to protect ‘democracy, freedom and sovereignty’
Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te urged China “not to misjudge the situation and become a troublemaker in the region.”
“In response to the Chinese authorities’ disregard for international norms and the use of military intimidation to threaten neighboring countries, Taiwan expresses its strong condemnation,” presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement.
China announced “major” military exercises around Taiwan on Monday amid rising tensions with Japan over the status of the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.
The military exercises, named “Just Mission 2025,” will involve live-fire drills starting on Tuesday, China’s military initially said. But later on Monday, the military said it already carried out live-fire drills “on maritime targets to the north and southwest of Taiwan.”
“This serves as a serious warning to ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Shi Yi, a spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.
“The exercise focuses on training for maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control, sealing off key ports and areas and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence.”It also comes after the United States announced its largest-ever weapons sale to Taiwan, with a package valued at $11.1 billion (€9.4 billion).
