March 19, 2024

Solid State Lighting Design

Find latest world news and headlines today based on politics, crime, entertainment, sports, lifestyle, technology and many more

Taiwan mobilizes forces against “possible fake attack” by China | World | T.W.

Taiwan mobilizes forces against “possible fake attack” by China |  World |  T.W.

Taiwan condemned this Saturday (08.06.2022) that Chinese military ships and aircraft crossed the center line of the Formosa Strait in a “possible simulated attack” in military maneuvers announced after the visit to the island by the US legislative president. Nancy Pelosi.

In response, Taipei issued warnings and deployed air and naval patrols, as well as activated its land-based missile systems, after “many” Chinese yesterday faced “strong provocation” to cross the middle line of the strait. Ships and planes.

The Ministry of Defense said Taipei forces “detected several Communist aircraft and ships conducting operations around the Taiwan Strait, some of which crossed the Line of Control. They were believed to be conducting a simulated attack on the main island of Taiwan.” In a statement.

In a message posted on its official Twitter account, the island’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the target of the attack simulation would be a “high-value asset,” without giving further details.

A Taiwan Air Force Mirage fighter jet taxis on the runway at an air base in Hsinchu.

An imaginary border

An imaginary line across the strait has served as an unofficial but tacitly respected border between China and Taiwan for decades.

The moves by the People’s Liberation Army (EPL, Chinese Army) are part of military maneuvers that have been underway since Thursday and will continue through Sunday in response to Pelosi’s visit, which so far have included live fire and launches. Long-range missiles.

The exercises take place in six zones around the island, one of which is 20 kilometers off the coast of Kaohsiung, the main city in southern Taiwan.

Different military maneuvers

Although China has conducted other drills in the Taiwan Strait in recent years, this week’s drills are different because “they cover a larger area, involve more military elements and are expected to be more effective,” defense experts were quoted as saying. by local media.

Taiwan has described China’s military presence in those areas as a “siege,” and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said China’s “deliberately increased military threat” was “irresponsible.”

China, which described Pelosi’s visit as “a farce” and a “deplorable betrayal”, claims sovereignty over the island and views Taiwan as a rebel province since the Kuomintang nationalists left there in 1949 after losing a civil war against the Communists.

jc (efe, afp)