The Chinese military says it has conducted a “preparatory patrol” for combat in the seas and airspace around Taiwan in recent days, saying it was a necessary action to respond to the “collusion” between Washington and Taipei. .
Key points:
- Joe Biden angered China over seeming to signal change in US policy of “strategic ambiguity”
- China says it is “necessary action against US-Taiwan collusion”
- Taiwan reported on Monday the largest incursion since January by the Chinese Air Force into its Air Defense Identification Zone
China, which claims that democratically governed Taiwan is its own territory, has stepped up its military maneuvers around the island over the past two years or so, as it seeks to pressure Taipei to accept its claims to sovereignty.
China has been particularly unhappy with US support for Taiwan.
U.S. President Joe Biden angered China last week by appearing to signal a shift in US policy of “strategic ambiguity” in Taiwan, saying the United States would be militarily involved if China attacked the United States. ‘island.
U.S. officials said there had been no policy change.
In a statement, the Eastern People’s Liberation Army Theater Command said the combat “preparation patrol” had taken place in Taiwan in recent days and was “a necessary action against the collusion between the US and Taiwan “.
Taiwan on Monday reported the largest incursion since January by the Chinese Air Force into its Air Defense Identification Zone. (AFP: STR)
“Recently, the United States has made frequent moves on the issue of Taiwan, saying one thing and doing another, instigating support for Taiwan’s pro-independence forces, which would push Taiwan into a dangerous situation,” the command added.
Taiwan is part of China and Chinese troops continue to strengthen military training and preparations to “frustrate” the interference of external forces and the actions of those who support Taiwan’s independence, he said.
Although the statement did not give an exact date for when the exercise took place, Taiwan on Monday reported the largest incursion since January by the Chinese Air Force into its Air Defense Identification Zone.
The island’s defense ministry said Taiwanese fighters were fighting to warn 30 planes.
Taiwan has repeatedly complained about these missions to its Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ.
No shots were fired and the Chinese plane did not fly into Taiwan’s airspace, but into its ADIZ, a wider area that Taiwan controls and patrols that acts to give it more time to respond to any threats.
Taiwan says only its people have the right to decide the future of the island, rejecting China’s claims to sovereignty.
The Taiwanese government says that while it wants peace, it will defend itself if necessary.
Reuters