Taiwan Responds to China’s Military Drills, Avoids Escalation
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry announced on Monday that it would not escalate tensions in response to China’s recent military drills, despite heightened alert levels on its outlying islands.
The drills, which encircled Taiwan, were described by Beijing as a “major warning” to the island over its continued pursuit of independence.
Taiwan Criticizes China’s Military Exercises
In a statement, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry condemned the Chinese exercises, accusing them of undermining security in the Taiwan Strait. The ministry confirmed that it is closely monitoring China’s rocket forces while maintaining heightened vigilance on its nearby islands. While Taiwan’s military is fully prepared to respond if necessary, it stressed that it would not take any steps to provoke further conflict.
China’s Warning Over Independence Push
China’s Defence Ministry framed the exercises as a direct response to Taiwan’s political stance, particularly the refusal of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to acknowledge Beijing’s claims over the island. Lai, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has continued his party’s policy of rejecting Beijing’s demands that Taiwan recognise itself as part of the People’s Republic of China.
The recent drills come as part of China’s growing military pressure on Taiwan, reflecting rising tensions between the two governments. However, Taiwan has chosen a restrained approach, focusing on de-escalation while remaining vigilant against any potential threats from Beijing.
