Taiwan blasts China for second combat drills close to the island

Taiwan’s democratic government condemned what would be the second time China conducted combat drills close to the island. The combat drills mark the second time Beijing has conducted such exercises in less than a month.

The Taiwanese presidential office shut down the allegations China’s Eastern Theater Command claimed in its statement when it announced it was conducting combat drills once again close to the island nation. The office said Beijing was making “groundless accusations” and that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the common responsibility of both China and Taiwan.

The office reiterated that while Taiwan will not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes, it will defend its sovereignty and security. The office added that its military is already monitoring the situation in the Taiwan Strait and its surrounding areas.

The Taiwanese defense ministry also issued a similar statement condemning the combat drills, saying that the island is not looking to escalate the tensions or create conflict.

“We seek neither escalation nor conflict. PLA’s false accusation and irrational provocation have severely destabilized the security of the Taiwan Strait and neighboring regions. ROC Armed Forces constantly monitor our surrounding area and respond to activities accordingly. We can and we will keep our homeland safe,” said the ministry, referring to China’s People’s Liberation Army and the initials of the island nation’s formal name, the Republic of China.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, including the Taiwan Strait, has not ruled out capturing the island with military force. Beijing has since engaged in a pressure campaign on the island and its democratic government, making repeated incursions into Taiwanese airspace and holding military drills close to the island.

On Monday, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pitched the need to defend democracy against authoritarianism in an effort to shore up ties with Paraguay as it gears for its upcoming relations in April. As Paraguay is one of the 14 countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, China is pressuring those countries to cut formal relations with the island.

Should Paraguay’s opposition party win in the April elections, the country would cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the hopes of boosting its soy and beef exports.