By John Ikani
China has demonstrated its military prowess in a second day of exercises by simulating precise strikes against key targets in Taiwan and surrounding waters.
The drills, which Beijing deemed a “stern warning” to the self-governing island, were staged in response to Taiwan’s president’s recent visit to the US.
The US has called on China to show restraint, while Taiwan reported that 71 Chinese jets flew around the island on Saturday.
In addition, 45 warplanes crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, and nine Chinese ships were detected in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
The drills, named “Joint Sword” by China, will continue until Monday, provoking indignation among Taiwanese officials.
Taipei officials accused Beijing of using President Tsai’s US visit as an “excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability, and security in the region.”
During the first day of the drills, a Chinese vessel fired a shot as it passed near Pingtan Island, the nearest point to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council released footage of one of its ships shadowing a Chinese warship, with a sailor telling the latter through a radio to “immediately turn around and leave.”
Footage also showed a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, accompanying the Coast Guard ship in a “standoff” with the Chinese vessel.
On Sunday, Taiwan’s defence officials reported that fighter jet sorties started early in the morning, while the US urged China not to exploit President Tsai’s US visit and called for “restraint and no change to the status quo.”
The US, which cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, is required by law to provide Taiwan with the necessary means to defend itself.
US President Joe Biden has said that the US would intervene if China attacked the island, but its messaging has been unclear.
China’s military drills will involve “long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers, and refuellers,” and are due to end on Monday.
Despite the drills, residents in Taipei appeared untroubled by China’s latest manoeuvres. Michael Chuang said, “They [China] seems to like doing it, circling Taiwan like it’s theirs. I am used to it now.
If they invade, we can’t escape anyway. We’ll see what the future holds and go from there.”
Taiwan’s status has been ambiguous since 1949 when the Chinese Civil War turned in favour of the Chinese Communist Party, and the country’s former ruling government retreated to the island.
While Taiwan has since seen itself as a sovereign state with its constitution and leaders, China regards it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing’s control, even by force if necessary.
