Taiwan

Taiwan's military assembled its forces and said it was confident it could protect the island, after China started two days of ‘punishment’ drills around Taiwan on Thursday (May 23).

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The exercises, conducted in the Taiwan Strait and near clusters of islands controlled by Taiwan adjacent to the Chinese coast, comes after three days of Lai Ching-te taking office as Taiwan's new president.

Lai is regarded by Beijing as a "separatist."

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China, which sees democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, condemned Lai's inauguration speech in which he called on China to stop its threats.

Although, Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, and rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) stated that it had started joint military drills, involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in areas around Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. (2345 GMT).

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The exercises are taking place in various locations, including the Taiwan Strait, the northern, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan, and areas surrounding the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin, according to a statement from the command.

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Taiwan's defense ministry denounced the drills, stating that it had deployed forces to areas around the island and expressed confidence in its ability to defend its territory.

"The launch of military exercises on this occasion highlights China's militaristic mentality," the ministry said.

However, there was no sign of alarm in Taiwan, where people are long used to Chinese military activity.

China releases map of drills held in areas around Taiwan

Notably, Chinese state media published a map of the drills zones, in areas all around Taiwan and the islands Taiwan controls near the Chinese coast.

A statement was also published with details of what has been dubbed 'punishment' drills around Taiwan. Beijing said the two-day exercises from May 23 to May 24 were a response to 'separatist acts'.

china releases map

(With inputs from agencies)