This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/520982-china-taiwan-military-drill/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chinese military drills aimed against Taiwan’s independence & ‘collusion’ with US – Beijing Chinese military drills aimed against Taiwan’s independence & ‘collusion’ with US – Beijing
(about 1 month later)
Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait send a strong signal to Taipei’s “secessionist” politicians who rely on the US’ support for the island nation’s independence, Beijing has said amid increasing tensions.Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait send a strong signal to Taipei’s “secessionist” politicians who rely on the US’ support for the island nation’s independence, Beijing has said amid increasing tensions.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait are “combat exercises” necessary to protect “national sovereignty,” Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference on Wednesday.  The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait are “combat exercises” necessary to protect “national sovereignty,” Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference on Wednesday.  
Ma explained the drills are not aimed at regular people in Taiwan and said China, which considers the island its province, stays committed to peaceful reunification. At the same time, Beijing will “never leave any room” for Taiwan’s “secessionist activities,” he said.Ma explained the drills are not aimed at regular people in Taiwan and said China, which considers the island its province, stays committed to peaceful reunification. At the same time, Beijing will “never leave any room” for Taiwan’s “secessionist activities,” he said.
The spokesperson blasted the US for calling Beijing a military threat and for its “sending of wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces and playing the Taiwan card.”The spokesperson blasted the US for calling Beijing a military threat and for its “sending of wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces and playing the Taiwan card.”
China regularly protests against foreign involvement in Taiwan, which has been closely allied with the US for decades. On Tuesday, Beijing warned Washington “not to play with fire” after it changed the US State Department guidelines to allow government officials to have more contact with Taipei. A delegation led by former US senator Chris Dodd arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday.China regularly protests against foreign involvement in Taiwan, which has been closely allied with the US for decades. On Tuesday, Beijing warned Washington “not to play with fire” after it changed the US State Department guidelines to allow government officials to have more contact with Taipei. A delegation led by former US senator Chris Dodd arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday.
Taipei, in turn, says Beijing’s military activity near its border leads to tensions. On Monday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said 25 PLA warplanes flew into the island nation's defense identification zone, which was the largest such incursion reported to date.Taipei, in turn, says Beijing’s military activity near its border leads to tensions. On Monday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said 25 PLA warplanes flew into the island nation's defense identification zone, which was the largest such incursion reported to date.
In a statement shared with local media, a spokesperson for the US State Department condemned the move and called on Beijing to cease all forms of pressure against Taiwan.In a statement shared with local media, a spokesperson for the US State Department condemned the move and called on Beijing to cease all forms of pressure against Taiwan.
Meanwhile, China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, cited Fu Qianshao, a military aviation expert, saying such flybys and similar drills will continue if more provocations occur.Meanwhile, China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, cited Fu Qianshao, a military aviation expert, saying such flybys and similar drills will continue if more provocations occur.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.