Taiwan again saw Chinese warships off the coast

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The ministry in Taipei reported nine Chinese warships and 26 aircraft around the island on Tuesday morning (local time). Meanwhile, the United States and the Philippines launched their largest-ever joint military exercise in the South China Sea.

Beijing “hosted military aircraft and crossed the centerline from the north, center and south on Tuesday morning,” Taiwan’s defense ministry said. It referred to the unofficial border that runs through the strait between Taiwan and mainland China. The border was previously largely respected by Chinese ships.

Beijing said on Tuesday that the country will continue to take “strict measures” to “protect” national integrity. “Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. There is no so-called Taiwanese foreign ministry,” said a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry.

The military exercise ended Monday

China has been conducting military maneuvers around self-governing Taiwan since Saturday. The Chinese associations simulated attacks on “key targets” in Taiwan and practiced a blockade of the islands. On Monday, Beijing declared that the exercises dubbed “United Sword” were over.

With the maneuver, Beijing responded to a trip to the United States by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Tsai last week met with Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy – he holds the country’s third highest office.

Since the political split between mainland China and Taiwan in 1949, Beijing has regarded the island as a separate area that it wants to reunite with the mainland – by military force if necessary. Only on Monday did China declare that peace in Taiwan and Taiwan’s independence are “exclusive”.

US and Philippines open “Balikatan”

On Tuesday, the annual “Balikatan” military exercises began between the Philippines and the US, in which some 18,000 soldiers participate this time – more than ever before. This year there is an explicit exercise on the reconquest of an island.

Sea, land and air forces will land on the small Philippine island of Palawan, some 300 kilometers off the coast of Taiwan. Until March 28, live ammunition will also be used for the first time in the Balikatan exercises (Filipino for “shoulder to shoulder”).

The South China Sea, where the US-Philippine exercises are taking place, is almost entirely claimed by China. Just six weeks ago, the Philippines and the United States agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea. The Philippines also allowed the US to use four other military bases in the country.

Due to its geographic proximity to Taiwan, the Philippines is an important partner for the US in the event of a conflict with China over the Taiwan issue. It is the first time that the “Balikatan” maneuvers have been held under new Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who wants to strengthen ties with the US. Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, prioritized relations with China over those with the United States.

According to its own statements, the US Navy had already crossed the disputed waters in the South China Sea with a destroyer on Monday. China condemned the ship’s crossing as “illegal entry” into Chinese waters.

(AFP)

Source: Blick