Global community condemns China’s military action near Taiwan

The presidential office said on Saturday that China’s military actions around Taiwan were criticized by the global community and called it a challenge to the international order, Taiwan News reported.

“China’s recent unilateral provocation not only undermines the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but is also a blatant provocation to the international order,” a statement quoted Taiwan’s president as saying. “This is causing serious concern and is being condemned by the international community.” Office.

The island has been self-ruled since 1949, when nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek fled after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a civil war.

Earlier in the day, the Taiwan Defense Ministry detected a significant Chinese military presence across the country, with military aircraft and ships operating around Taiwan.

According to the ministry, 62 aircraft of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and 27 ships of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were seen operating around Taiwan.

Days after Taiwan’s Lai Ching Teh was sworn in as president of the island on May 20, China launched two-day military drills around the country on Thursday and Friday (May 23-24), according to Taiwan News.

China described the maneuver as “punishment” for President Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan independence stance.

Presidential office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui said state-controlled media in China said the exercises were “normal” and “necessary” but that Beijing’s unilateral actions posed a challenge to the global order and harmed peace and stability. .

According to Radio Taiwan International (RTI), he/she said the president and his/her national security team closely monitored the exercises and took necessary measures.

Recently, after an unnamed US official urged Beijing to exercise restraint on the cross-Strait situation, China warned the US that efforts toward “Taiwan independence” are a “dead end” and “only counterproductive.” It will have an impact.”

“For those who are involved in ‘Taiwan independence’, there will be a dead end, and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ will only have a counterproductive effect,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular media briefing on Friday. “

In Lai Ching Teh’s inaugural speech on May 20, Kuo said, he/she expressed hope that China would put the safety and well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait first. China should stop its threats against Taiwan and the region and fulfill its global responsibility to maintain peace and stability, Kuo said, quoting President Lai.

“My responsibility is to defend the country and ensure the safety of all citizens,” Lai said, visiting the Marine Corps’ 66th Brigade in Taoyuan for the first time as commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces. ,

“In the face of external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend the values ​​of freedom and democracy and safeguard regional peace and stability,” Lai said. he/she said he/she would “stand by” all military personnel and “protect national security.” ,

Lai reassured all citizens and expressed confidence in the military’s ability to stand firm on its positions and work to ensure national security, Focus Taiwan reported.