China begins large military exercises around Taiwan after new president sworn in
China launched new military exercises around Taiwan, scrambling jets and sending ships out for patrols just days after the self-governing island nation swore in a new pro-U.S. president who Beijing criticized for escalating tensions in his inaugural address.
The military drills, code-named Joint Sword 2024A, will run from Thursday to Friday, according to state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua. The exercises involve the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Rocket Force, which is involved with nuclear and conventional missile management for the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
A PLA spokesperson said the drills will involve ships and aircraft around Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing Thursday that Beijing was seeking to "strongly punish" the "separatist forces."
"All Taiwan independence separatist acts will be hit head-on by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, and all Taiwan independence separatist forces will be hit hard in the face of the historical trend of China's complete reunification," Wang said, per Xinhua.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense condemned the new exercises as "jeopardizing peace and stability."
"We seek no conflicts, but we will not shy away from one. We have the confidence to safeguard our national security," the ministry wrote on social media platform X.
Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, campaigned on closer relations with the U.S., with his January victory dealing a major blow to Beijing.
The U.S. has unofficial relations with Taiwan but supports the nation with arms and has congratulated Lai on his victory.
Though his ruling government is closer to Washington, Lai is advocating to maintain the status quo of Taiwan, which means not calling for independence.
In his Monday inauguration speech, Lai hailed that the island nation "is a sovereign, independent nation in which sovereignty lies in the hands of the people."
"The future of cross-strait relations will have a decisive impact on the world," he said. "This means that we, who have inherited a democratic Taiwan, are pilots for peace. Our government will uphold the Four Commitments, neither yield nor provoke, and maintain the status quo."
He also called for China to "cease their political and military intimidation against Taiwan."
China condemned the speech and called it a confession of Taiwanese independence.
Date: | |
Tag: | China |
Filter
-
Taiwan’s president urges army to shed nationalist legacy to meet China threat
Duelling centenary celebrations for military academy underscore armed forces’ fractured identityFinancial Times - World - China -
Fico ally Peter Pellegrini sworn in as Slovakia's president
Yahoo News - World -
Fico ally Peter Pellegrini to be sworn in as Slovakia's president
Yahoo News - World -
Russia nuclear submarine, other ships conduct military exercises in Caribbean
A Russian nuclear submarine and three other Russian ships are off the coast of Cuba to conduct military exercises in the Caribbean. U.S. officials say the exercises will include flights by Russian long-range bombers along the East Coast.CBS News - World - Russia -
Taiwan must prepare for cyber, financial attacks by China
As China conducts military exercises around Taiwan, it is important not to forget about less visible methods of attack. In addition to military threats, Taiwan must prepare for the risk of electronic and financial attacks. Indeed, the ...The Hill - Politics - China -
Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of the populist prime minister, is sworn in as Slovakia's president
Peter Pellegrini has been sworn in as the president of Slovakia in a ceremony that took place amid heightened security following an assassination attempt on his close ally, populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, a month agoABC News - World -
Xi Jinping claimed US wants China to attack Taiwan
Chinese president told European Commission president that Washington was trying to goad Beijing into warFinancial Times - Business - China -
1 arrested, 2 at large after burning flags outside Israeli consulate
One person has been arrested and two others are being sought after the burning of American flags outside the Israeli consulate in New York City, authorities said.ABC News - Top stories - Israel -
France’s new leftwing bloc begins to crack ahead of snap elections
New Popular Front rocked by purge after being formed this week in threat to Emmanuel MacronFinancial Times - Business -
Contentious Mountain Valley Pipeline begins operation days after federal approval
The controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline has begun operations days after receiving its final approval from the federal energy regulator, the company behind it announced Friday morning. “This is an important and long-awaited day for our Nation ...The Hill - Politics
More from The Hill
-
Want to honor Father’s Day? Fund child care
If we want to empower Americans to truly thrive and compete on the world stage, we need to reimagine the way our economy works for working families.The Hill - Politics -
Bowman primary reignites civil war among Democrats
Eight years after the 2016 election, Democrats are reliving the infamous Clinton-Sanders battle — this time in the race for New York’s 16th Congressional District. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), a "squad" member favored by Sen. Bernie Sanders ...The Hill - Politics -
Rubio's name rises toward top of Trump's VP shortlist
In 2016, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) made headlines for sparring with Donald Trump, then his opponent in the race for the GOP nomination for president. Eight years later, he’s in a prime position to be Trump’s running mate. Rubio has been a close ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
How Trump's Florida residency complicates Rubio's path to VP
Former President Trump’s relatively new status as a Florida resident is complicating the potential of him choosing the state’s senior Sen. Marco Rubio (R) to run on the same ticket as him in November. The 12th Amendment maintains that ...The Hill - Politics - Florida -
GOP faces political minefield on IVF, life at conception
In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a political minefield for GOP Senate candidates as they seek to balance their stated support for IVF access with their beliefs that life begins at conception. Democrats sought to force the issue this week ...The Hill - Politics