China's military on Monday dispatched air, navy, and missile units to conduct joint live-fire drills around the island of Taiwan, which Beijing called a "stern warning" against separatist and "external interference" forces. Taiwan said it was placing its forces on alert and called the Chinese government "the biggest destroyer of peace." Taiwan's aviation authority said more than 100,000 international air travelers would be affected by flight cancellations or diversions, reports the AP. The drills came after Beijing expressed anger at what could be the largest-ever US arms sale to the self-ruled territory and at a statement by Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, saying its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan.
Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson of China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, said the drills would be conducted in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of the island. Shi said the activities would focus on sea-air combat readiness patrol, "joint seizure of comprehensive superiority," and blockades on key ports. It was also the first large-scale military drill where the command publicly mentioned one goal was "all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain." "It is a stern warning against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interference forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity," Shi said.
Hsieh Jih-sheng, deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence of the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, said that as of 3pm Monday, 89 aircraft and drones were operating around the strait, with 67 of them entering the "response zone"—airspace under the force's monitoring and response. In the sea, the ministry detected 14 navy ships around the strait and four other warships in the Western Pacific, in addition to 14 coast guard vessels. "Conducting live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait ... does not only mean military pressure on us. It may bring more complex impact and challenges to the international community and neighboring countries," Hsieh told reporters.
Military drills are set to continue Tuesday. Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration said Chinese authorities had issued a notice saying seven temporary dangerous zones would be set up around the strait to carry out rocket-firing exercises from 8am to 6pm on Tuesday, barring aircraft from entering them. Asked about the drills, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party has attempted "to seek independence by soliciting US support and even risk turning Taiwan into a powder keg and ammunition depot."
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