Chinese military launches large-scale drills around Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Chinese military launched large-scale drills in the waters around Taiwan on Tuesday, as it warned the self-ruled island against seeking independence.

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The joint exercises involve navy, air, ground and rocket forces, according to Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command.

The drills are meant to be a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence,” Shi said in a statement.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, while most Taiwanese favour their de facto independence and democratic status.

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Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it had tracked 19 Chinese navy vessels in the waters surrounding the island in a 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday local time.

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The drills came just two weeks after a large-scale exercise in mid-March, when Beijing sent a large number of drones and ships toward the island.

Beijing sends warplanes and navy vessels toward the island on a daily basis, seeking to wear down Taiwanese defences and morale, although the vast majority of the island’s 23 million people reject its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Faced with the rising threat from China, Taiwan has ordered new missiles, aircraft and other armaments from the U.S., while revitalizing its own defence industry.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war 76 years ago, but tensions have risen in recent years as communication between the two governments has stopped.