Tensions are rising between China and Taiwan. Beijing has announced the start of military exercises with live ammunition around the island , while Taipei claims to have detected 89 Chinese military aircraft and 28 vessels near the island. Beijing today began live ammunition exercises near Taiwan, which it said simulated a blockade of the island's key ports, prompting Taipei to condemn what it called Chinese "military intimidation." The Chinese military "is using destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, and drones" in the military exercises, which include "live ammunition strikes on maritime targets north and southwest of Taiwan," according to a statement from the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Zone Command.
Beijing also issued a warning to "external forces" supporting Taiwan, following the launch of exercises around the island that, according to Chinese authorities, simulate a blockade of Taiwan's main ports. In a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declared that any attempt to halt Taiwan's unification with mainland China is doomed to failure. This week's show of force follows a massive arms sale to Taipei by the United States, Taiwan's main security backer.
(Unioneonline)
