Taiwan slams China's military drills, vows to defend democracy
PTC News Desk: After China launched new military drills off the coast of Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te reassured the public of the government's dedication to defend Taiwan's democracy. He shared his remarks on Facebook after holding a high-level national security meeting in response to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence.
Also Read: Nayab Singh Saini: How a low-profile leader stole the limelight in Haryana political arena
China on Monday launched military drills which it described as punishment for a speech given by the president when he vowed to "resist annexation" or "encroachment upon our sovereignty" and emphasized that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are "not subordinate" to one another.
Lai stated that Beijing launched military exercises to intimidate neighboring countries and disrupt regional peace and stability, which contradicts the expectations of the international community. He assured people that the government will persist in defending Taiwan's free and democratic constitutional system against external pressure.
Lai also reiterated his dedication to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, stressing that Taiwan aims to encourage positive interactions between both sides based on mutual respect and dignity. In his National Day speech, he mentioned Taiwan's willingness to collaborate with China on common interests, like pandemic prevention, to foster peace and prosperity for both sides of the Strait. He expressed hope that Beijing would leverage its global influence positively and further contribute to regional and global peace, security, and prosperity. Meanwhile, during military drills near Taiwan and its surrounding islands, China deployed a record 125 aircraft, including its aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with various ships.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized China's provocative actions near Taiwan, which have heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific area. They asserted that these actions further undermine the rules-based international order and pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability. In his National Day speech, Lai reached out to China again, but China continues its military exercises aimed at intimidating the Taiwanese public and jeopardizing Taiwan's democracy. The ministry emphasized that China is unilaterally disrupting the "status quo" in the Taiwan Strait, contributing to instability.
The ministry urged China not to use justifications to incite conflict and escalate tensions, becoming a disruptor of regional peace. Additionally, it called on the international community to take meaningful actions to support democratic Taiwan, unite in upholding freedom and democracy, and maintain a rules-based international order for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
- With inputs from agencies
