Massive Chinese Naval Exercise Comes to an End
Taiwanese Authorities Confirm Chinese Vessels Return to China
Taipei: Chinese navy and coast guard ships have returned to China, marking the end of a massive maritime exercise, Taiwanese authorities said Friday.
Chinese Vessels Return to China
Taiwan’s coast guard released images showing Chinese vessels sailing north in rough seas past the island on Thursday, on their way to China. According to Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy director general of Taiwan’s coast guard, "All the Chinese coast guard went back to China yesterday, thus, although they haven’t officially made any announcement, we consider it over."
Beijing Remains Mum on Exercise
Beijing has not confirmed the drills, and its defense ministry did not comment on whether the exercises took place when asked at a press conference on Friday. However, ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that "whether or not we hold exercises, and when we hold them, are decided by us alone, based on our own needs and the circumstances of our struggle."
Safeguarding National Sovereignty
Wu also emphasized that safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and the common interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait, are the military’s sacred duties. "No matter whether it holds exercises, the People’s Liberation Army will not be absent or soft-hearted when it comes to striking down (Taiwanese) ‘independence’ and pushing for unification," he said, referring to the Chinese armed forces.
Massive Maritime Exercise
Taiwanese authorities said this week that Beijing’s biggest maritime drills in years stretched from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. About 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in the exercises, which included simulating attacks on foreign ships and practicing blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said Wednesday.
China’s Military Ambitions
The Taiwan security official said China began planning the massive maritime operation in October and aimed to demonstrate it could choke off Taiwan while also drawing a "red line" ahead of the next US administration. As Chinese ships returned to China on Thursday, Taiwan’s military and coast guard closed emergency response centers set up in response to the huge maritime mobilization.
Threat of Invasion
Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years as it pressures Taipei to accept its claims of sovereignty. China has refused to rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, leaving the island to face the constant threat of invasion. The latest exercise exceeded Beijing’s maritime response to then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in 2022, the security official said. Those war games were China’s largest ever around Taiwan.
Conclusion
The massive Chinese naval exercise has come to an end, with Chinese vessels returning to China. While Beijing has not confirmed the drills, Taiwanese authorities have confirmed the end of the exercise. The exercise was seen as a demonstration of China’s military might and its willingness to use force to assert its claims over Taiwan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Chinese naval exercise?
A: The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate China’s military might and its willingness to use force to assert its claims over Taiwan.
Q: How many Chinese warships and coast guard vessels participated in the exercise?
A: About 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in the exercises.
Q: What is the significance of the exercise?
A: The exercise is significant because it demonstrates China’s military power and its willingness to use force to assert its claims over Taiwan.