© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A naval force helicopter belonging to the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China takes part in a military exercise in the waters surrounding Taiwan, at a location undisclosed August 8, 2022 in this August 8 release photo
By Yimou Lee
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan on Wednesday said it would exercise its right to self-defense and “counterattack” if China’s armed forces entered its territory, as Beijing ramped up military activities near the island. democracy island.
Beijing, claiming Taiwan as its own in the face of strong government opposition in Taipei, has held military exercises around the island this month in response to the President’s visit to Taipei. US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
Taiwan’s defense officials say China’s “intense” military patrols near Taiwan continue and Beijing’s intention to turn the Taiwan Strait separating the two sides into “clear waters”. their will become the main source of instability in the region.
Lin Wen-Huang, Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Operations and Planning: “For aircraft and ships entering our territory of 12 nautical miles at sea and in the air, the national army will exercise its right to defense and counterattack. told reporters at a press conference.
Taiwan has complained about Chinese drones repeatedly flying near groups of islets near China’s coast.
The military will exercise its right to “counterattack” Chinese drones that don’t heed warnings to leave their territory after making threats, Lin added.
Taiwan fired warning shots at a Chinese drone for the first time on Tuesday, shortly after President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the Taiwanese military to take “strong countermeasures.” against what she called China’s provocations.
China’s Foreign Ministry this week dismissed complaints from Taiwan about drone harassment as “not worth bothering with”, prompting Taipei to label Beijing a thief.
During the same meeting, Ma Cheng-Kun, director of the military academy of National Defense University, said China would likely continue to deny foreign naval ships passing through the strait without their permission.
“After the new normal military situation is consolidated, the risk of collision will increase if foreign naval vessels insist on the right of navigation and freedom,” he said.
Warships from the United States and from allies such as Britain and Canada have regularly passed through the strait in recent years, including two US Navy warships last week.
Taiwan’s armed forces are well equipped but inferior to China’s. Tsai is overseeing a modernization program and has made increasing defense spending a priority.
China has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taipei rejects Beijing’s claim, saying the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island and that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
