Taiwan President Praises Air Force for Outstanding Performance During Chinese War Games
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed his gratitude to the air force for its outstanding work during Chinese war games around the island earlier this week. The president visited the air force headquarters in Taipei and was connected by radio to a fighter pilot, identified by his call sign "Viper One", in a video released by the presidential office.
Lai Commends Air Force for Exceptional Performance
Lai praised the air force for its exceptional performance, stating, "Thank you for your hard work for our country. Please continue to guard the airspace of the Taiwan Strait to ensure national security, and have a safe and smooth flight." He added in English, "Happy landing." During his visit, Lai also made comments to personnel inside air force command, saying, "We were all on full alert during these Chinese exercises and did our best. The performance was outstanding. Thank you very much and please keep up the good work in our duty to protect and defend our country."
Taiwan’s Air Force Confronts Daily Chinese Military Missions
Taiwan’s air force has been repeatedly scrambling to respond to almost daily missions by the Chinese military around the island. On Monday, the Taiwanese military detected 153 Chinese aircraft, the highest figure for a single day. Despite being dwarfed by China’s military, Taiwan’s air force has continued to demonstrate its capabilities in responding to these exercises.
Background to the Tensions
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, and the military exercises were seen as a warning over "separatist acts". Lai and his government have rejected China’s sovereignty claims and have offered talks many times, but been rebuffed.
Conclusion
The Taiwan president’s visit to the air force headquarters underscores the importance of the armed forces in protecting the country’s national security. Despite being faced with a formidable opponent in China, the Taiwanese air force has demonstrated its capabilities in responding to the daily military exercises. As tensions between the two countries continue to simmer, the air force’s outstanding performance is a testament to their commitment to defending Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the number of Chinese aircraft detected by Taiwan’s military during the recent exercises?
Answer: 153 - What was the purpose of China’s military exercises around Taiwan?
Answer: To make a warning over "separatist acts" - Has Taiwan’s government and president offered talks to China? Answer: Yes
- Has China accepted Taiwan’s offers of talks? Answer: No