China simulates strikes in Taiwan as tensions soar

International

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

China has said that its planes carrying live ammunition conducted simulated strikes in Taiwan.

An AFP report that CHina’s Shandong aircraft carrier was involved in the ongoing exercise. Chinese military’s Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement,”multiple batches of H-6K fighters carrying live ammunition… carried out multiple waves of simulated strikes on important targets on Taiwan Island.”

The drills are a stern warning from China to the self-governing island and is a response to Taiwan’s president visiting the United States last week. The US has however urged China to show restraint.

Taiwan said that around 70 Chinese aircraft flew around the island on Sunday. Reports also said that eleven Chinese ships had been spotted.

On Saturday, Taiwan said that 45 warplanes either crossed the Taiwan Strait medial line, the unofficial dividing line between the Taiwanese and Chinese territory or flew into south-western part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

China has dubbed the operation as ‘Joint Sword’ and said that it would continue until Monday.

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Taiwan has accused Beijing of using President Masai’s visit as an excuse to conduct military drills. This has seriously undermined peace and stability in the region, Taiwan also said.

“You are seriously harming regional peace, stability and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures,” a sailor could be heard telling the Chinese ship through a radio.

The US state department has urged China not to exploit President Tsai’s US visit and also called for restraint and no change the status quo. The US also said that it was monitoring the situation and insisted that it had enough resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and meet to meet with national security commitments.

The US had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China in 1979. However it is bound by law to provide Taiwan with means to defend itself.