The Chinese military said today that it conducted a combat “readiness patrol” around Taiwan in the seas and airspace, claiming it was a necessary action to respond to “collusion” between the United States and Taiwan.
China claims that the democratically governed island of Taiwan is its territory. China has stepped up its military maneuvers around the island over the past two or so years, in an effort to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty claims.
U.S. support for Taiwan has made China particularly unhappy.
U.S. President Joe Biden further angered China last week, when he appeared to signal a bit of a change in the policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan. Biden said that the U.S. would become involved militarily if China attacked Taiwan. U.S. officials were quick to say there was no change in policy.
The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement that the combat “readiness patrol” had happened in recent days around Taiwan, and it was “a necessary action against U.S.-Taiwan collusion”.
The command said that recently the U.S. has made frequent moves on the Taiwan issue, “saying one thing and doing another, instigating support for Taiwan independence forces, which will push Taiwan into a dangerous situation.”
The statement reasserted that Taiwan is a part of China, and said that Chinese military forces continue to strengthen military training and preparations to “thwart” interference from external forces, as well as actions by those who support Taiwan’s independence.
No specific date was released for when the supposed drill took place. But Taiwan on Monday reported the largest incursion of China’s air force in its air space defense zone since January.
Taiwan has said that while it wants peace, it will defend itself if necessary. Taiwan also said that only Taiwanese people have the right to decide the future of the island.
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