Taipei has scrambled jets after China launched war games to punish the self-governing island for alleged “separatist acts” Taiwan has scrambled fighter jets and put its naval and ground forces on high alert in response to Chinese military exercises that were billed as punishing the self-governing island for following Monday’s inauguration of an anti-Beijing president. the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The ministry condemned China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for launching two days of war games around Taiwan, a move it called an The latest row between Beijing and its breakaway province comes three days after newly elected President Lai Ching-te called, in his inauguration speech, for China to cease its Chinese officials have branded Lai a and have vowed to reunify with the island – by force, if necessary.
The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command said its latest exercises around Taiwan were meant to test the capabilities of its units. the command added in a statement. A map released by the PLA showed five areas where the so-called drills are being held.
Those points surround Taiwan’s main island, as well as some outlying islands. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said 49 PLA aircraft were seen operating in the region as of Thursday morning, including 35 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into Taipei’s Air Defense Identification Zone. the ministry said.
the PLA’s exercises. Lai visited a marine base in Taoyuan, south of .
