Global Courant 2023-04-11 06:04:16
TAIPEI – China’s military exercises have led to instability in Taiwan and the region and are irresponsible actions for a great country, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on Facebook after Beijing ended three days of exercises around the island.
China entered the war games on Saturday after Ms Tsai returned to Taipei after meeting in Los Angeles with Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.
China, which warned the US not to allow Ms Tsai to visit or meet Mr McCarthy, sees Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunited, by force if necessary. The Taiwanese government strongly disputes China’s claims and repeatedly denounced the exercises.
Ms. Tsai wrote on her Facebook page shortly before midnight on Monday that as president she “represents my country to the world” and that her visits abroad, including stops in the United States, are not new and what the Taiwanese people expect.
“However, China used this to launch military exercises, causing instability in Taiwan and the region. This is not a responsible attitude for a large country in the region,” she said.
China simulated precision strikes and blockades of Taiwan during the exercises, deploying dozens of fighter jets and bombers.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said 91 Chinese military aircraft flew in missions around the island on Monday.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said this was a record, though the ministry said it could not verify if that was the case.
Ms Tsai said Taiwan’s Armed Forces and Coast Guard responded calmly and professionally, and thanked everyone involved.
“While China’s military exercises have come to an end, the country’s military and national security teams will remain in place and continue to defend the country,” she added. REUTERS
