A Chinese soldier during the “Joint Sword-2024A” military exercise, near Taiwan, May 23, 2024. EASTERN THEATER COMMAND OF THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY / AFP China launched military maneuvers on the morning of Monday October 14 with planes and ships around Taiwan, which for its part assured that it had deployed “adequate forces” to respond. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense announced a state of “heightened alert” in the outlying islands. These exercises, called “Joint Sword-2024B”, aim to “test the joint operational capabilities” of the troops, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced Monday morning. The operations are taking place “in areas to the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan,” said Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese army’s Eastern Command. The maneuvers “focus on sea-air combat readiness patrols, the blockade of ports and key areas”, “the assault of maritime and land targets” as well as “the joint acquisition of overall superiority”, added Mr. Li. The Chinese army has deployed fighter planes, bombers and warships, indicated Chinese state media, public television CCTV. Several destroyers and frigates were also sent to the Taiwan Strait, as well as to the north, southwest and east of the island, this source reported. Four fleets were deployed for “inspections” in the waters around Taiwan “in accordance with the law based on the ‘one China’ principle”, according to which Taiwan is part of Chinese territory, Liu wrote in a statement Dejun, coast guard spokesperson. High-level security meeting Their Taiwanese counterparts said they had detected groups of Chinese boats around Taiwan. “Several boats” crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait – referring to the line that bisects this 180 kilometer wide strait between the island and mainland China – and remained “in our northern waters, southwest and east in the form of convoys,” the Taiwanese Coast Guard reported in a statement. Faced with these operations, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, described as a “separatist” by Beijing, convened a “high-level” security meeting on Monday, Taiwanese security chief Joseph Wu explained to the press. He added that the president had “issued clear instructions on how to respond to China’s military threats and the reactions of relevant ministries.” He also considered that the operations were “in contradiction with international law and regulations, and require a warning”. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned in a press release “irrational and provocative behavior” by China, specifying that it had “deployed the adequate forces to react appropriately with the aim of protecting freedom and democracy, as well as to defend sovereignty” of Taiwan. “Faced with the enemy threat, all the officers and soldiers of the country are ready. (…) We are determined and confident [d’être en mesure] to ensure the defense of national security,” continued the ministry. At the same time, Taiwan announced the arrest of a Chinese national after a possible “intrusion”. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers People’s China doubts, seventy-five years after its founding Add to your selections “Unjustified response” according to Washington Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been execrable since 2016 and the arrival of Tsai Ing-wen to the Taiwanese presidency , then his successor Lai Ching-te in 2024. Invested in May, the latter pledged Thursday to “resist the Chinese annexation” of the island or “the encroachment of [sa] sovereignty”, on the occasion of Taiwan’s National Day. He also expressed his wish to have “healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges” with China, calling on Beijing to use its influence instead to help resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Beijing, which describes Mr. Lai as a “separatist,” reacted by warning that the Taiwanese president’s “provocations” would lead to a “disaster” for his people. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The Taiwanese president takes the risk of a firm speech against China Add to your selections On Monday, Beijing described the launch of these new exercises as a “serious warning” in the face of “separatist actions by the forces of “ independence of Taiwan”. “This is a legitimate and necessary operation to safeguard state sovereignty and national unity,” said Captain Li Xi. The official Chinese television channel CCTV broadcast a video entitled: “The greater the provocation, the tighter the reins will be. » Le Monde Application La Matinale du Monde Every morning, find our selection of 20 articles not to be missed Download the application The United States has condemned Chinese military operations, saying it is “seriously concerned”. “The response of [l’armée chinoise] by military provocations to a usual annual speech [du président taïwanais Lai Ching-te jeudi] is unjustified and carries a risk of escalation,” responded US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a press release. Increased pressure China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory to be reunified one day and has never renounced using military force to regain control. Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years by increasing its military activity around the island, maintaining a near-constant presence using military aircraft and ships. China has organized three rounds of large-scale maneuvers in the past two years, using its air force and navy to encircle the island, which is managed autonomously. On Sunday, the Taiwanese army claimed to be “on alert” after detecting the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning to the south of the island. Beijing has long tried to block contacts between Taipei and its international partners in order to isolate it, preventing it from participating in global forums and putting pressure on its rare official supporters. Washington has recognized Beijing to the detriment of Taipei as a legitimate power since 1979, but remains Taiwan’s most powerful ally and its main arms supplier. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In Taiwan, a fiction to prepare minds for a Chinese invasion Add to your selections Le Monde with AFP
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