Shocking new maps have revealed the extent of China’s military drills around Taiwan as fears over an attack on the island surge.
Just days after Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te made a speech reiterating that China “has no right to represent” his country, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was mobilised by air and sea.
The military and coast guard surrounded the democratically governed island in a warning against “separatist acts” that would focus on sea and air combat readiness.
The Eastern Theatre Command’s spokesperson, senior captain Li Xi, said they are also focused on blockading key Taiwanese ports and areas, and assaults on maritime and ground targets.
He said: “The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan Independence forces.”
The coast guard, separate to the military but serving under the same commanding body, is also conducting “law enforcement patrols” around the main island.
They encircled the island in “a practical action to control Taiwan Island in accordance with the law based on the one-China principle”.
It’s not yet known when the drills will end or if there will be any live-fire or no-fly zones, but a new map revealed the nine zones the exercises are taking place in, six of them being new Taiwan’s major ports.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responded, calling the drills “blatant provocations” that threatened the already fragile peace in the region.
The Ministry of Foregin Affairs echoed this sentiment, calling on Beijing to “pull back from the brink of a precipice”. Lai’s office urged China to accept the president’s “good will” and revealed there has been a national security meeting.
Joe Biden’s office also voiced its concern, calling on China “to act with restraint” in order to maintain “essential” peace and prosperity.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said: “We call on the PRC to act with restraint and to avoid any further actions that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, which is essential to regional peace and prosperity and a matter of international concern.”
Xi Jinping continues to push Taiwan towards what he calls a “peaceful reunification”, but this has been rejected by its people and government over fears of a Communist Party rule.
As a result, China has escalated its military drills in the waters surrounding the main island and incursions into its air defence zone in order to be ready for a full-scale invasion by 2027, according to US intelligence reports.
