On May 23 and 24, large-scale military exercises by Chinese forces will take place around the island state. One Chinese military commander even called these maneuvers “a powerful disciplinary measure against Taiwanese separatism.”
At the same time, a Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing threatened that “pro-independence forces [Тайваня], will end up with crushed skulls after colliding with China's grand scheme for complete unification.” The British publication The Economist calls the Taiwan Strait “the most dangerous place in the world.” Chinese military personnel frequently cross the unofficial but generally recognized border between China and Taiwan.
The two-day Army, Navy, Air Force and Missile Forces exercise that began today is not limited to the Taiwan Strait. China also announced actions to the north, south and east of the island, as well as off islands belonging to Taiwan.
Chinese Navy Colonel Li Si said on state television channel CCTV that Taiwan “will be punished for separatism.” Chinese military expert Zhang Chi, in turn, explained that China is imitating a blockade of Taiwan during the exercises. The army is working on a scenario in which the Chinese military is able to stop energy imports, cut off Taiwanese politicians' escape routes abroad, and prevent support from the United States and other allies.
According to Taiwanese Vice Premier Po Horn Hui, China is using the exercises to show that it controls the entire region. Unlike the major exercises in August 2022, this time China did not designate any exclusion zones for ships and aircraft. Stephen Sklenka of the US Indo-Pacific Command calls the actions of the Chinese army “extremely troubling.”
More Stories
Julian Assange leaves British prison and flies to Australia (video)
Dagestan: 15 police officers and civilians were killed in a terrorist attack (video)
Terrorist attacks in two cities of Dagestan, an attack on a synagogue and a church, there were deaths (added)