Tag: taiwan

Taiwan President reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace and stability while safeguarding Taiwan’s sovereignty, expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing….reports Asian Lite News

Taiwan President William Lai has pledged to uphold Taiwan’s self-governing status while marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over communist forces in the Battle of Guningtou, reported Taipei Times.

Speaking during his visit to Kinmen County, he addressed veterans and their families and said that Taiwan cherishes its freedom and democracy, and no “external force” can change its future.

“The Battle of Guningtou makes us realize that democracy and freedom are not something to be taken for granted. We treasure a democratic and free way of life, and we cannot, and will not, allow any external force to change the future of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, right?” Lai said.

Lai told veterans and family members that the October 1949 Battle of Guningtou, when Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) forces beat off an invasion attempt of Kinmen by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), “represents our determination to protect our country.”

He reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace and stability while safeguarding Taiwan’s sovereignty, expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing. “Our insistence on safeguarding a democratic and free lifestyle for generations to come has not changed and will remain unchanged,” he added.

The battle of Guningtou, fought from October 25 to 29, 1949, was a crucial engagement in the Chinese Civil War, where ROC forces successfully repelled a PLA amphibious assault on the offshore islands. This victory was significant for the ROC’s morale, marking one of their last successes before retreating to Taiwan.

The battle is frequently referenced in discussions about current cross-strait relations, underscoring its lasting impact on Taiwan’s defence strategies and geopolitical tensions, reported Taipei Times.

During the final stages of China’s Civil War, the Kinmen battle represented one of the few victories for Chiang Kai-shek’s forces.

This visit marked Lai’s second trip to Kinmen since he took office in May. It followed the Taiwan Defence Command’s inaugural night-time live-fire drills aimed at preparing the military for potential PLA invasions under the cover of darkness.

The exercises took place in the Wude area of southern Penghu County and were designed to simulate responses to a surprise night-time assault by the PLA.

The drills included media attendance and involved comprehensive aerial, naval, and land simulations conducted in darkness. Land exercises utilised CM-21 armoured vehicles and M60A3 tanks, operated by soldiers equipped with night-vision gear.

Live ammunition was discharged along local beaches in preparation for a potential land assault. To address a simulated aerial invasion using drones, the army deployed flares to illuminate the night sky, allowing them to fire 120mm mortars upwards, Taipei Times reported.

The army stated that the naval simulations considered the possibility of the PLA Navy infiltrating Taiwan’s waters disguised as fishermen, prompting the firing of ammunition from land to sea. Before the drills commenced, the Coast Guard Administration alerted local fishermen and boaters about the upcoming live-fire exercise near Wude.

Overall, the drills took place at 18 locations, with over 32,000 rounds of various types of ammunition discharged, showcasing Taiwan’s commitment to its national defence. (ANI)

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These drills, part of China’s ongoing show of force, mark the fourth round of large-scale military operations in the past two years….reports Asian Lite News

China launched military exercises around Taiwan on Monday, with planes and ships encircling the self-ruled island, according to Beijing’s Defence Ministry, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

These drills, part of China’s ongoing show of force, mark the fourth round of large-scale military operations in the past two years.

The exercise, titled Joint Sword-2024B, is designed to “test the joint operations capabilities of the theatre command’s troops,” the ministry said.

According to Captain Li Xi, a spokesperson of the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, the drills are taking place in “areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island,” as reported by CNA.

Li explained that the drills focus on multiple areas, including “sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockades of key ports and areas,” and the “assault on maritime and ground targets.” The exercises also involved the “joint seizure of comprehensive superiority.”

China’s military presence around Taiwan has increased significantly in recent years, with frequent flights and naval maneuvers around the island’s waters.

Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control.

In the wake of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s speech during the island’s National Day celebrations last week, both the US and Taiwan urged China to hold off on any aggressive actions. Lai, who has taken a stronger stance on defending Taiwan’s sovereignty than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, angered the Chinese government, which labels him a “separatist,” reported CNA.

In his speech, Lai emphasized Taiwan’s resistance to any attempts at annexation, stating that “Beijing and Taipei were ‘not subordinate to each other’.”

In response, Beijing called the drills a “stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces” and affirmed that the exercises were “a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity.”

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te also expressed a desire for “healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges” with China. He urged Beijing to play a constructive role in ending conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Despite Taiwan’s robust governance and military, it has never formally declared independence from China, which continues to push for Taiwan’s exclusion from international platforms and diplomatic recognition.

Taiwan expels Chinese Coast Guard ships

Taiwan has expelled four Chinese coast guard ships that entered its restricted waters near the Matsu Islands shortly after the People’s Liberation Army announced the start of its Joint Sword-2024B drills around Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) reported detecting two China Coast Guard ships near Nangan Island and two more near Dongyin Island on Monday morning. Following the intrusion of Chinese vessels into restricted waters off Matsu, the CGA’s Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch dispatched four patrol boats to monitor the situation.

According to CGA, the incident raised the total number of Chinese incursions into Taiwan-controlled waters to 44 this year.

The CGA noted it has formed a task force to address “abnormal” Chinese coast guard activities that began around 11 am. Several Chinese ships crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, loitering near various parts of Taiwan’s coastline. In response, the CGA deployed patrol vessels to assist the Ministry of National Defence in monitoring these activities.

According to the CNA report, the CGA and Army personnel on Menghu Islet had also detected a suspicious target moving towards the islet early Monday. After assessing the situation, patrol vessels intercepted an inflatable boat carrying a Chinese citizen, who was arrested and is now under investigation.

The China-Taiwan dispute centres around the political status of Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, while Taiwan operates as a self-governing democracy with its own government, economy, and identity.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In contrast, Taiwan, under the leadership of various parties over the years, has increasingly embraced its distinct identity and has resisted unification on Beijing’s terms.

The disputes in the maritime areas surrounding Taiwan are emblematic of broader geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly involving China’s assertive claims over the South China Sea.

The increasing military presence by China, including naval exercises and the construction of artificial islands, has heightened tensions. (ANI)

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The spokesperson asserted that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities failed to take concrete actions to lift trade restrictions …reports Asian Lite News

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday that it may take additional measures against Taiwan following an investigation revealing Taiwan’s trade-restrictive measures against the nation violate fair trade practices, according to a report by Xinhua.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesperson made the remarks following the trade probe into Taiwan’s restrictive measures, which concluded in December last year.

The spokesperson asserted that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities failed to take concrete actions to lift trade restrictions against the Chinese mainland, despite the release of investigation results.

China’s MOC said that Taiwan’s restrictions on importing more than 2,000 Chinese products are indeed trade barriers. The ministry further said that this determination was made in December 2023, following a thorough investigation. It added that the MOC called for the removal of these restrictions, but so far, Taipei has not made any effort to do so.

An investigation was launched, following concerns from Chinese chambers of commerce. The investigation probed whether Taiwan’s import bans on 2,455 Chinese products (as of April) breach fair trade practices.

Notably, Taiwan had imposed bans on several products from China, and the range of restricted imports continued to expand in recent years, according to the investigation results. By the end of November 2023, the imports of 2,509 items of products from China were prohibited.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) protested China’s “economic oppression” on Saturday, responding to Beijing’s threat of countermeasures over Taiwan’s alleged trade barriers.

In a statement, the MAC, the top government agency in Taiwan that supervises exchanges across Taiwan Strait, expressed regret over any such measures but said the government will continue its efforts to minimise any adverse effects they may cause, according to a report by Focus Taiwan.

Chinese activity near Taiwan ADIZ

The Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan has reported the detection of 11 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 1 official Chinese ship operating near Taiwan as of 6 am today.

Of the detected aircraft, 9 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, south-western, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwanese forces monitored the situation closely and took appropriate action.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of National Defence, ROC (Taiwan) stated, “11 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

This incursion is part of ongoing tension between Taiwan and China, with frequent military activity by Beijing around the island.

According to Taiwan News, China has deployed 56 military aircraft and 22 naval vessels around Taiwan this month alone. Since September 2020, Beijing has been ramping up its gray zone tactics, which include a gradual increase in the presence of Chinese military aircraft and naval ships in areas close to Taiwan. These tactics are designed to pressure Taiwan without engaging in direct military conflict.

China’s latest military manoeuvres around Taiwan are seen as part of a broader pattern of provocations that have intensified in recent months. The Chinese government has carried out regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ, as well as military exercises close to the island.

Gray zone tactics are defined as actions that fall short of full-scale warfare but are aimed at achieving security objectives through persistent, low-level activities. These tactics are intended to wear down Taiwan’s defences without triggering a large-scale conflict.

The median line of the Taiwan Strait has long served as a de facto border between China and Taiwan. However, since the visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August 2022, China has increasingly sent military aircraft, warships, and drones across the line. This has escalated tensions between the two sides.

Taiwan, which split from China following the civil war in 1949, continues to govern itself independently. However, China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.

Beijing’s interest in Taiwan is also driven by the island’s technology-driven economy. Despite this, Taiwan maintains its autonomy and remains vigilant amid ongoing Chinese military activities. (ANI)

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Lai urged China to contribute to regional and global peace and security, leveraging its influence to help end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East…reports Asian Lite News

President Lai Ching-te, in his National Day address on Thursday, reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while also expressing the nation’s readiness to collaborate with China to address global issues, as reported by Taiwan News.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue based on equality and dignity, President Lai highlighted Taiwan’s dedication to bolstering resilience through the Four Pillars of Peace action plan.

“Under the Four Pillars of Peace action plan,” he said at the event marking the 113th National Day of the Republic of China, “we will bolster national defence and protect the well-being of the Taiwanese.”

To address global challenges, including climate change and authoritarian expansion, three new committees have been established: the National Climate Change Committee, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

“These three committees are interconnected and closely related to national resilience,” Lai said. The aim is to develop better responses to challenges and foster closer cooperation with the international community.

“Taiwan is also continuing to diversify green energy sources and develop energy technologies to achieve the global goal of net zero by 2050,” Lai added.

While highlighting cross-strait relations, he affirmed that “Taiwan is determined to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” adding that “Taipei’s commitments to dialogue in the Taiwan Strait based on equality and dignity are unchanged.”

“The nation is also ready to collaborate with China to address global issues and ensure regional security for the benefit of people on both sides of the strait,” he said.

Further, Lai urged China to contribute to regional and global peace and security, leveraging its influence to help end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“China can use its influence to help end the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East,” he said. “Amid these turbulent times, Taiwan will remain confident and resilient and be a force for peace and prosperity in the region.”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this year’s National Day celebration drew approximately 183 distinguished foreign guests, including 14 official delegations and 91 representatives of diplomatic missions in Taiwan from allied and non-allied countries.

On the same day, China launched satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, with the flight path over central Taiwan and heading toward the Western Pacific.

Taiwan Ministry of Defence shared a post on X and stated, “At 10:50 p.m. (UTC+8), China launched satellites from #XSLC, with the flight path over central Taiwan and heading toward the Western Pacific. The altitude is beyond the atmosphere and poses no threat. #ROCArmedForces monitored the process and stand ready to respond if needed.” (ANI)

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