Chinese Forces carried out another round of exercises near Taiwan

Chinese Forces carried out another round of exercises near Taiwan. 

On Monday, the People’s Liberation Army stated that China’s military forces conducted another drill near Taiwan last week. 

The reason to boost joint combat operations after the Chinese-controlled island reported increased inactivity.

Taiwan has complained about Chinese military action near it for the past two years, mainly in the southern and southwestern parts of the island’s air defense identification zone, or ADIZ.

On Friday, Taiwan’s air force sent planes to alert 18 Chinese aircraft that had breached its air defense zone. 

Further intrusions were recorded on Saturday and Sunday but with fewer aircraft.

The Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army stated that navy and air force forces conducted maneuvers in the east and southwest of Taiwan from Friday to Sunday to “further test and develop the combined fighting capacity of different services and weapons.” However, it didn’t go into detail.

According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, China sent bombers, fighters, and anti-submarine aircraft.

There were no guns fired, and the Chinese aircraft were flying in Taiwan’s ADIZ, a larger region that Taiwan monitors and patrols to allow it more time to react to any threats.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Taiwan has heightened its alert, fearful that China may follow suit. 

Still, the administration in Taipei has not revealed any indicators that this will happen.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said China continues to be a danger while answering questions in parliament on Monday.

“However, we are determined to protect our country,” he said.

According to Japan, eight Chinese military warships, including an aircraft carrier, traveled between islands in Japan’s southern Okinawa group, northeast of Taiwan, last week.

Last week, Taiwan conducted pre-planned missile and other exercises along its southern and southeastern shores.

The Taiwan Strait remains a potential military flashpoint because China has never renounced the use of force to annex democratically controlled Taiwan.

China’s sovereignty claims are rejected by Taiwan’s government, which says that only the island’s 23 million people can determine its fate.