China Extends Threatening Military Exercises Against Taiwan

China on Monday announced to continue its threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns about the potential for conflict in a region crucial to global trade.

“The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday continued joint combat exercises and training around the water and airspace of the Taiwan Island, with the main focus on organising joint anti-submarine and sea assault operations,” China state-affiliated media stated.

According to social media posts from the eastern leadership of China’s ruling Communist Party’s military army, the exercise would include anti-submarine drills, apparently targetting the US support for Taiwan in the event of a potential Chinese invasion.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said Sunday it detected a total of 66 aircraft and 14 warships conducting the naval and air exercises. The island has responded by putting its military on alert and deploying ships, planes and other assets to monitor Chinese aircraft, ships and drones that are “simulating attacks on the island of Taiwan and our ships at sea.” The island army in response to the drills has declared to conduct live-fire artillery drills in southern Pingtung County on Tuesday and Thursday. The drills will include snipers, combat vehicles, armoured vehicles as well as attack helicopters, said the report, which cited an anonymous source.