Taiwan Scrambles Jets as China Conducts Military Exercises Around Island

Title: Taiwan Scrambles Jets, Puts Military on Alert Over Chinese Exercises

In a tense standoff between Taiwan and China, Taiwan scrambled jets and put missile, naval, and land units on alert on Thursday over Chinese military exercises being conducted around the self-governing island democracy. The exercises come just days after Taiwan’s new president took office.

China’s military stated that the two-day exercises around Taiwan were in response to separatist forces seeking independence. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of China’s national territory and regularly sends navy ships and warplanes into the Taiwan Strait to intimidate the island’s people.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry condemned China’s actions, stating that they jeopardize regional peace and stability. President Lai Ching-te, in his inauguration address, called for Beijing to stop its military intimidation and pledged to maintain Taiwan’s values of freedom and democracy.

While Taiwan seeks dialogue with Beijing, it also vows to maintain its current status and avoid conflicts that could draw in allies such as the U.S., Japan, and Australia. The main opposition Nationalist Party also condemned Beijing’s actions and called for restraint to avoid conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

The tensions come amid protests outside Taiwan’s legislature against moves by the Nationalists to force through legislation that could affect military budgets and key appointments. The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command stated that the exercises are meant to test their capabilities and punish separatist forces seeking independence.

The PLA released a map of the exercise area, which surrounds Taiwan’s main island and outlying islands closer to the Chinese mainland. China’s coast guard also conducted drills near islands controlled by Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party has been in power in Taiwan for over a decade, despite the Nationalists holding a slim majority in parliament.

International condemnation of China’s actions has been swift, with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command calling on Asia-Pacific nations to speak out against the exercises. Japan’s foreign minister also emphasized the importance of Taiwan remaining peaceful and reiterated the close partnership between Japan and Taiwan.

As tensions escalate in the region, the world watches closely to see how the situation between Taiwan and China will unfold.