China holds military exercise near Taiwan, Israel’s Supreme Court discusses judicial restructuring

Following a stopover by the Taiwanese vice president in the US, China again held military exercises near Taiwan. It was a “serious warning” to “separatists” in Taiwan who were working with foreign forces, the Chinese military said in a statement on Saturday.

The exercises focus on the coordination of ships and aircraft and their ability to control air and sea spaces. In addition, the “real combat capabilities” of the armed forces would be tested.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry condemned China’s “irrational provocative activities.” Armed forces have been deployed to defend the country’s freedom, democracy and sovereignty.

Despite warnings from China, Taiwanese Vice President William Lai traveled to Paraguay last week with a stopover in the US. He returned to Taiwan on Friday.

The communist leadership in Beijing regards independently governed Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and threatens to conquer the country. China tries to isolate Taiwan internationally and strictly rejects official contacts between other countries and Taiwan. Like most countries in the world, the United States does not have an embassy in Taiwan. However, there are a number of informal contacts that also irritate Beijing.

In April, Beijing responded with military exercises when Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy during a visit to the US. (cst/sda/dpa)