New Delhi: China’s military on Monday stated that it is continuing drills in the seas and skies around Taiwan defying calls for it to end its largest-ever exercises encircling the democratic island.
According to news agency AFP, the military’s eastern command said that fresh drills have been carried out around Taiwan Monday.
The military drills were expected to draw to a close on Sunday.
China has carried out an unprecedented set of naval and air force drills in areas near Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
Beleaguered Taiwan on Saturday appealed for international help as it flagged “simulated attacks” by the Chinese military around the self-ruled island
“Our government and military are closely monitoring China’s military exercises and information warfare operations, ready to respond as necessary. I call on the international community to support democratic Taiwan and halt any escalation of the regional security situation,” Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted.
According to the Taiwan Defence Ministry, some Chinese aircraft and vessels had crossed the sensitive median line in the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from the Chinese mainland.
“Multiple PLA craft were detected around Taiwan Strait, some have crossed the median line. Possible simulated attack against HVA. #ROCArmedForces have utilised alert broadcast, aircraft in CAP, patrolling naval vessels, and land-based missile systems in response to this situation”, the ministry tweeted.
Meanwhile, as the scale of the military drills has led to speculation that China could be preparing for an invasion of Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi refuted the concerns saying: “It’s a complete rumour and slander that the US claims that China has changed the status quo in the Taiwan Straits”.
Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taipei and her meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen and other leaders infuriated Beijing, which views the self-governed democratic island as its territory that should be reunified with the mainland, even if taken by force.
(With Agency Inputs)