Chinese military conducts drills near Taiwan as 'stern warning' following Taiwan official's US visit

China's military on Saturday held drills around Taiwan after Taiwan's Vice President, William Lai, visited the United States, stopping in places like San Francisco and New York City, during his trip to Paraguay to strengthen relations. The drills were a "stern warning" to Taiwan as China's ruling Communist Party claims democratic Taiwan as its territory and doesn't want it to own foreign relationships.

China's spokesperson from Eastern Theater Command mentioned in a short announcement that the military drills involved the coordination of vessels and planes and their ability to seize control of air and sea spaces.

It was also testing the forces' "actual combat capabilities," Shi Yi said.


The drills were a warning over provocations from pro-Taiwan independence forces and foreign forces, he added.

The command released footage of the drills online that showed soldiers running, as well as military boats and planes. State media CCTV reported that missile-equipped boats and fighter jets were involved in the operation and that units worked together to simulate the surrounding of Taiwan.

Taiwan's reaction
Taiwan's defence ministry strongly condemned what it called "irrational, provocative moves" in a statement. It said it would deploy appropriate forces to respond to the drills and take action to "safeguard freedom and democracy."

It said its military would stand ready in the face of the threats posted by the Chinese army, adding that its forces have "the ability, determination and confidence to safeguard national security."

It posted a video on Facebook that showed previous military drills and said the Chinese military exercises reflected a militaristic mentality.

Is Taiwan really a part of China?
Taiwan and China went separate ways in 1949 after a civil war. The Communist Party took over the mainland. Even though Taiwan is its own boss and has never been part of China, Beijing considers it a rebel area that it might take back by using force if needed.

China's official Xinhua news agency on Saturday reported that an unnamed official in China's Taiwan Work Office strongly condemned what it called further collusion between Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the U.S. and said it was a "new provocative move."

The official pointed to the stopovers in the U.S., an interview Lai gave to news outlet Bloomberg and his meeting with U.S. officials in Paraguay, the report said. The official said Lai had used "Taiwan independence" rhetoric in the interview.

The official also accused Lai of using his stopovers in the U.S. to sell out the interest of Taiwan to seek gains in the island's election and described him as a "troublemaker who will push Taiwan to the dangerous brink of war," the report added.

Lai is his party's candidate for the 2024 presidential election in January.

Inputs from AP