Chinese military drills around Taiwan, discourages self-rule

The Beijing government on Tuesday launched joint sea, land, and air operations around the island to practice blockading and seizing control of key areas. The drills were meant as a warning and deterrent against Taiwan independence and its separatist forces, said a spokesman for the regional command of the People’s Liberation Army. It was unclear on Tuesday how long the military exercise would last.

Taiwan authorities on Monday detected as many as 19 Chinese ships around the island, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense. The ministry deployed aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems to monitor the Chinese operations.

Why is China stepping up its operations? The latest demonstrations of military power are intended to be a warning to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s administration, said a spokeswoman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Officials said the operations are in response to Lai’s statements and threats to China/s sovereignty. China claims to control the island, while Taiwan maintains that it is an independent nation. Lai last month described China as a foreign hostile force and outlined a plan to combat Chinese power in Taiwan.

Dig deeper: Read Bekah McCallum’s report in WORLD Magazine about a Taiwanese tech company shifting manufacturing to the United States.