Taiwanese President Lai Ching Te has highlighted the work of the island’s coastal authorities at the start of China’s military maneuvers, thanking them for their professional response to what Beijing has described as a strong warning about separatist tendencies. Amid these tensions, Lai Ching Te reiterated Taiwan’s determination to prevent the conflict from escalating in the region as the Chinese army increases its military presence around the island, according to El Mundo.
The Lai Ching Te government reiterated this Tuesday its goal of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific despite pressure and warnings from the Chinese government. According to El Mundo, President Lai underlined his government’s position: “We will act responsibly and not escalate the conflict or provoke disputes,” the president said in a public statement. He also pointed out that maintaining peace in the Strait is a common concern of Taiwan and the international community.
According to El Mundo, China’s recent military exercises in the Taiwan Strait reach areas in the north, southwest, southeast and east of the island and are carried out with live fire. The Chinese army’s operations aim to test both naval and air combat scenarios, with the aim of simulating blockades of key Taiwanese ports and other strategic infrastructure on the island.
The media outlet El Mundo reported that Beijing justified the maneuvers by saying they were a warning to the so-called “separatist forces” in Taiwan. Chinese authorities have insisted they have the right to take whatever measures they deem appropriate to respond to what they see as pro-independence provocations as well as military cooperation between Taipei and the United States, including arms sales.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said any attempt to prevent the reunification of China and Taiwan was doomed to failure, according to statements collected by Xinhua Agency and quoted by El Mundo. Beijing claims the military actions are aimed at sending a clear message about its historic claims in the region and its opposition to any movement on the island deemed separatist.
In the first days of the exercises, Lai Ching Te emphasized the importance of restraint and professionalism on the part of the Taiwan Armed Forces and publicly thanked the coastal authorities for their calm and acting within the framework of institutional responsibilities. “Military pressure from China is in no way a responsible power,” Lai said, referring to the way the Chinese government is handling the situation, El Mundo reported.
According to information published by El Mundo, the Chinese government maintains its position that any provocation or external military cooperation with Taiwan constitutes interference in China’s “internal affairs.” Beijing emphasizes that reunification with the island represents an inalienable goal supported by both historical arguments and national political considerations.
This week’s military exercises, as described by El Mundo, included a series of complex exercises that included simulation exercises both at sea and in the airspace around Taiwan. China has deployed warships and military aircraft to demonstrate its ability to block key sea routes to and from the island and to practice responses to possible military emergencies.
As El Mundo reported, President Lai reiterated that the responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the region lies with both Taiwan and the international actors involved, and assured that the island will not engage in provocative actions during the period in which the Chinese maneuvers are taking place. The President, in his messages to the public, particularly through social networks such as Facebook, emphasized his administration’s commitment to act in accordance with the principles of peace and stability.
El Mundo described that amid this atmosphere of tension, the international community is closely monitoring the development of the maneuvers, given the possibility that an escalation could affect relations and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Lai Ching Te thus reiterates Taiwan’s position regarding Beijing’s tightening military policy and increasing pressure on the island and its population.
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