military exercises in the Taiwan Strait region
PRC:
On May 23, Senior Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, stated that from May 23 to 24, the People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command would conduct the "Joint Sword-2024A" exercise involving the theater's army, navy, air force, and rocket force around the Taiwan Island area. The exercise focuses on training subjects such as joint air-sea readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets. Ships and aircraft will conduct patrols close to Taiwan Island, and there will be integrated maneuvers within and beyond the island chains to test the theater's joint operational combat capabilities. This exercise is also a powerful punishment against the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and a stern warning against external forces' interference and provocations.
ROC:
The Chinese Communist Party's Eastern Theater Command has announced the commencement of the "Joint Sword-2024A" military exercise around Taiwan. On the 23rd, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged the Beijing authorities to act rationally and exercise restraint, stating that military intimidation does not contribute to cross-strait peace. The MAC hopes that Beijing will engage in communication and dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected government to seek mutually beneficial cooperation.
In response to the CCP's announcement of joint exercises around the Taiwan Strait and the Kinmen and Matsu Islands on the 23rd, the MAC expressed strong protest and dissatisfaction, demanding that the CCP cease its irrational military provocations.
The MAC emphasized that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are matters of global concern. Given the high level of international attention on cross-strait relations, the MAC called on the CCP to stop threatening Taiwan militarily. According to recent MAC polls, over 90% of the Taiwanese public disapprove of the continued presence of CCP military aircraft and ships in the vicinity (92.6%). The Beijing authorities should recognize that intimidation will not win hearts and minds but will only heighten cross-strait tensions and destabilize the region.
The MAC reiterated its call for the Beijing authorities to engage in communication and dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected government to seek mutually beneficial cooperation.
_________________
For I so loved the world, that I gave My theory and method, that whosoever believeth in Me should not be oppressed, but have a liberated life. /sarc
There is an old saying, "Peace Through Strength". Taiwan is vulnerable to an unprovoked attack from China. But a Taiwan with a nuclear warfare capacity might cause China to rethink its dreams of aggression into a rethink mode.
_________________
Author of Practical Preparations for a Coronavirus Pandemic.
A very unique plan. As Dr. Paul Thompson wrote, "This is the very best paper on the virus I have ever seen."
reactions-chinas-military-drills-around-taiwan
"The drill is not meant to accomplish anything more than warn the just-inaugurated Lai administration that they are more than ready to react, and to deter any moves towards so-called Taiwan independence.
"These opposing forces could actually be operating in pretty close proximity. The Taiwan forces are not just shadowing the individual Chinese assets... that brings them into direct contact with Chinese forces... there is the risk of inadvertent or accidental military clashes."
VICTOR GAO, CHAIR PROFESSOR AT SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY, CHINA:
"I believe Lai Ching-te's May 20 speech is a declaration of war because he clearly distinguished China from Taiwan and completely destroyed the one-China principle.
China wants to show that if Lai still wants to take the path of Taiwan independence... it can make Taiwan collapse without a war within a week or two, which will deal a fatal blow to the people of Taiwan. I think cross-Strait relations have reached a watershed, if Lai dares take a wrong step forward then there will be a cataclysm."
YOSHIMASA HAYASHI, CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY, JAPAN:
"We hope for the issues over Taiwan to be resolved peacefully through dialogue; that has been our consistent position. It is important to clearly communicate the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait directly to China, and work closely with allies including the United States and clearly communicate the shared position of each country."
SONG ZHONGPING, CHINESE MILITARY EXPERT, IN HONG KONG:
"Due to the aggressiveness of Taiwan independence forces in recent days, the PLA is trying to tell both the 'Taiwan independence' forces and external forces that it is capable of eliminating the 'Taiwan independence' force with the speed and momentum of a thunderbolt through this large-scale drill."
CHINA'S STATE BROADCASTER:
"Throughout his speech Lai Ching-te used the word 'China' to refer to mainland China, and used the word 'country' to refer to Taiwan. He promoted separatist fallacies such as the so-called sovereignty, independence, and non-subordination of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command carried out a joint drill around Taiwan Island, which was a firm punishment for Lai Ching-te’s provocation."
TAIWAN'S DEFENCE MINISTRY:
"The launch of military exercises on this occasion not only does not contribute to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, it also highlights (China's) militaristic mentality."
WU XINBO, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR AMERICAN STUDIES AT FUDAN UNIVERSITY IN SHANGHAI:
"The drills encircling the island, is giving him (Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te) a blow on the head in order to shock and awe Lai and Taiwan independence forces on the island. This is also certainly a blow to the U.S.
This year's Joint Sword-2024A drills are very strong in intensity, showing that the mainland is willing to increase its deterrence towards Taiwan independence forces and strengthen its capability to mould the Taiwan Strait situation in response to the domestic changes in Taiwan. I believe that the shock and awe military drills from today onwards will be a routine occurrence."
LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEPHEN SKLENKA, DEPUTY COMMANDER US INDO PACIFIC COMMAND, IN CANBERRA:
"The normalisation of abnormal actions, that's what's happening. Just because we expect that behaviour doesn't mean we shouldn't condemn it. We need to condemn it publicly and it needs to come from us but it also needs to come from nations in the region ... it is far more powerful when it comes from nations in this region. It is concerning but I also believe in my heart of hearts that conflict between our two nations is not inevitable and its not a foregone conclusion."
_________________
For I so loved the world, that I gave My theory and method, that whosoever believeth in Me should not be oppressed, but have a liberated life. /sarc
taiwanese-people-markets-stay-calm-despite-chinese-drills-around-island
China staged mock missile strikes in waters east of Taiwan and dispatched fighter jets carrying live missiles, state media reported, as Beijing tested its ability to "seize power" and control key areas of Taiwan.
But on the island of 23 million people, life has continued as normal, with no overt sign of worry, the Taiwanese having gotten used to decades of living with Chinese threats.
China's military exercises "don't really affect our daily lives. We still have to work to make money," said Chen Sian-en, a tyre repair shop owner in the southern city of Kaohsiung, home to a major Taiwanese navy base.
"From childhood to adulthood, it means that we've gotten used to (China's) threats," said Chen, 66, adding that the drills were "some kind of intimidation tactic" and a "show of force" from Beijing to Taiwan's new leader.
China stages mock missile strikes on Taiwan, jets with live missiles used in drills
Taiwan and the United States have no official diplomatic relationship, as Washington formally recognises Beijing, but is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and is the island's most important international backer.
Analysts, regional diplomats and senior Taiwan officials noted the scale of the drills so far were smaller than the similar exercises in 2022 and were widely anticipated by Taiwanese and foreign officials, but they still raised the risk of accidents or miscalculations.
_________________
For I so loved the world, that I gave My theory and method, that whosoever believeth in Me should not be oppressed, but have a liberated life. /sarc
The leadership in the U.S. consist of many different types of leaders. It is like the difference between NTs and NDs.
In my humble opinion, about 50% of the people in the U.S. have NT characteristics and 50% have ND characteristics. Most people in general have only minor forms of the condition. But some are at the extremes.
_________________
Author of Practical Preparations for a Coronavirus Pandemic.
A very unique plan. As Dr. Paul Thompson wrote, "This is the very best paper on the virus I have ever seen."