Taiwan holds security meeting as Beijing conducts ‘blockade’ exercises
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has called a security meeting following extensive Chinese military exercises near the island. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Officials on the island have denounced the military drills conducted by Beijing as “reckless” and “provocative.”
In response to these large-scale exercises around the self-governing island, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has convened a national security meeting. On Monday, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo stated that the Taiwanese military was “fully monitoring” Beijing’s activities and emphasized Taipei's commitment to “maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”
Kuo further remarked, “China should face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan] and respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life,” pledging that the island will “continue to defend the free and democratic constitutional system” against “external threats.”
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry also condemned Beijing's military exercises, calling them “reckless” and “particularly provocative after our goodwill call to jointly safeguard Taiwan Strait peace.” The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, urging China to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could destabilize the region.
In support of these sentiments, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry stated that it would “deploy appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty.”
Beijing’s Eastern Theater Command announced the Joint Sword-2024B exercise, which will involve multiple branches of the military and occur in areas north, south, and east of Taiwan. The command characterized this move as a strong deterrent against separatist forces seeking “independence,” asserting that it is a legitimate response to uphold national sovereignty and unity. A map of the drills was released, indicating several zones encompassing the island on various sides.
The objectives of the exercise include training for sea and air combat readiness, conducting “blockades of key ports and areas, sea and land strikes, and seizing comprehensive control,” all aimed at assessing the theater’s joint combat capabilities.
The United States, Taiwan’s primary supporter, has expressed serious concerns regarding the situation. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized what he termed “military provocations to a routine annual speech” by Lai, describing it as “unwarranted and risks escalation.”
In a pointed message to Beijing, Lai remarked last week that China has no right to represent Taiwan, declaring that the island is not “subordinate” to Beijing and that Taipei will “resist annexation or encroachment” on its sovereignty. China, on the other hand, views the self-governed island as part of its territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping has asserted that “reunification” with Taiwan is “inevitable” and has indicated that Beijing does not rule out the use of force to achieve this objective.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
In response to these large-scale exercises around the self-governing island, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has convened a national security meeting. On Monday, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo stated that the Taiwanese military was “fully monitoring” Beijing’s activities and emphasized Taipei's commitment to “maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”
Kuo further remarked, “China should face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan] and respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life,” pledging that the island will “continue to defend the free and democratic constitutional system” against “external threats.”
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry also condemned Beijing's military exercises, calling them “reckless” and “particularly provocative after our goodwill call to jointly safeguard Taiwan Strait peace.” The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, urging China to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could destabilize the region.
In support of these sentiments, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry stated that it would “deploy appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty.”
Beijing’s Eastern Theater Command announced the Joint Sword-2024B exercise, which will involve multiple branches of the military and occur in areas north, south, and east of Taiwan. The command characterized this move as a strong deterrent against separatist forces seeking “independence,” asserting that it is a legitimate response to uphold national sovereignty and unity. A map of the drills was released, indicating several zones encompassing the island on various sides.
The objectives of the exercise include training for sea and air combat readiness, conducting “blockades of key ports and areas, sea and land strikes, and seizing comprehensive control,” all aimed at assessing the theater’s joint combat capabilities.
The United States, Taiwan’s primary supporter, has expressed serious concerns regarding the situation. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized what he termed “military provocations to a routine annual speech” by Lai, describing it as “unwarranted and risks escalation.”
In a pointed message to Beijing, Lai remarked last week that China has no right to represent Taiwan, declaring that the island is not “subordinate” to Beijing and that Taipei will “resist annexation or encroachment” on its sovereignty. China, on the other hand, views the self-governed island as part of its territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping has asserted that “reunification” with Taiwan is “inevitable” and has indicated that Beijing does not rule out the use of force to achieve this objective.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
