Taiwan Urges China to Cease Military Operations in Nearby Waters

Taiwan called on China, on Wednesday, to cease its ongoing military operations in nearby waters, which it claimed were unilaterally undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and disrupting international shipping and trade.

In a statement posted on its website, the Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the activities of a “large number” of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels in the first-island chain. This Pacific archipelago, adjacent to the Asian continental mainland, includes Japan, Taiwan, and part of the Philippines.

The statement declared, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly demands that the Beijing authorities immediately stop military intimidation and all irrational activities that endanger regional peace and stability.”

Taiwanese defence officials reported sightings of Chinese ships since Monday, both near Taiwan and further along the first-island chain. They described the formations as two walls, intended to assert China’s claim over these waters.

China had restricted airspace off its southeast coast from Monday to Wednesday, suggesting planned drills, although the People’s Liberation Army has not confirmed this.

Taiwan anticipated these drills following President Lai Ching-te’s recent stops in Hawaii and Guam during an overseas trip. China, which claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory, opposes any official contact between Taiwan and the United States or other foreign governments.

A Chinese spokesperson did not directly address the military exercises but stated online that the government would not tolerate provocations by Taiwan, in cooperation with external forces.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the government’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated, “We will take necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and safeguard the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.”

The Taiwan Strait, a 160-kilometre-wide body of water, separates China and the island of Taiwan. China’s military has conducted major exercises around Taiwan following both President Lai’s inauguration in May and his national day speech in October. It also held significant drills after Nancy Pelosi, then the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in 2022.

Frances Ibiefo

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