TAIPEI, Dec 11: Taiwan urged China on Wednesday to cease its ongoing military activities in the surrounding waters, claiming these actions are unilaterally threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while interfering with international shipping and trade.
The Foreign Ministry released a statement on its website, highlighting the response to the presence of a “large number” of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels in the first island chain, which is the Pacific archipelago that includes Japan, Taiwan, and part of the Philippines.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly insists that the authorities in Beijing immediately halt military intimidation and all irrational actions that jeopardize regional peace and stability,” the statement stated.
Taiwanese defense officials have reported sightings of Chinese ships since Monday, both near Taiwan and further along the first island chain. They characterized the formations as two lines created to assert that these waters are under Chinese jurisdiction.
From Monday to Wednesday, China restricted airspace off its southeast coast, suggesting preparations for military drills, although the People’s Liberation Army has not confirmed any such exercises.
Taiwan anticipated these drills following visits by its president, Lai Ching-te, to Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during an overseas trip last week. China regards self-governing Taiwan as its territory and opposes any formal interactions with the United States and other foreign nations.
A Chinese spokesperson refrained from directly addressing any military exercises but stated on Wednesday that the government would respond resolutely to provocations from Taiwan in collusion with external forces.
“We will implement necessary measures to firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and protect the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” declared Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office.
The Taiwan Strait spans 160 kilometers in width, situated between China and the island of Taiwan.
China’s military conducted significant exercises around Taiwan after Lai’s inauguration in May and his national day speech in October. A major drill was also held following the 2022 visit of Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the US House of Representatives, to Taiwan. (AP)
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