The Chinese army stated that it performed military drills in its region near Taiwan in reaction to what it sees as provocations from Taiwan and the United States, as Beijing intensifies military activities surrounding the self-ruled island.
The Taiwanese defense ministry said that 42 J-10, J-11, J-16, and Su-30 China warplanes, two Y-8 maritime patrol aircraft, a KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and a CH-4 and WZ-7 military drone conducted the intrusions, according to a CNN report.
China claimed that Taiwan's military has sent combat air patrol aircraft, naval boats, and land-based Taiwan missiles in response to 71 Chinese aircraft observed surrounding the island.
Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, reported that the drills on Sunday proved that Beijing was undermining regional stability and attempting to intimidate Taipei.
Following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in August, China conducted war maneuvers in the area, and on Saturday, it blasted the US for passing a new defense authorization statute that increases military aid to Taiwan.
China To Take All Necessary Steps To Defend Territory
The Chinese army's Eastern Theatre Command issued a brief statement claiming that it had conducted "joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills" near Taiwan. The exact location was not disclosed, per Al Jazeera.
Without providing further information, the Chinese military command stated: "This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan."
The statement added that the Chinese army will take all "necessary" steps to defend its independence and "territorial integrity."
In response, the Taiwanese defense ministry asserted that China's actions "once again illustrate its mentality of resolving conflicts "by force and destroying regional peace and stability." It added that it will continue to boost its military capability to defend itself.
Taiwan will continue to strengthen its military, saying, "The Chinese Communist's 'military intimidation' measures are geared at kowtowing its citizens.
Japanese officials have reported that China held military drills near the southern Japanese island of Okinawa in the Pacific Ocean last Friday.
On December 21, the Joint Staff of Japan reported that the Liaoning aircraft carrier of the Chinese navy, along with two destroyers and a frigate, had gone roughly 560 kilometers (348 miles) east of Kitadaito Island, located off the east coast of Okinawa. On December 22, the ships also traveled around 120 kilometers (74 miles) east of Okinotorishima, which is situated further southeast.
Japan's defense ministry reported that 180 carrier-based fighter planes and helicopters took off and touched down on the Liaoning aircraft carrier on Friday.
In response, the Japanese Government of Defense and Self-Defense Forces sent out two escort ships to gather data and conduct warning and monitoring missions, according to the ministry.
As Beijing expands its naval and aviation forces in regions close to Japan, tensions between China and Tokyo have also been progressively building. The Senkaku Islands, an uninhabited chain in the East China Sea under Japanese control, are also claimed by China.
Beijing Conveys Stronger Ties With Moscow
In other related news, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi maintained what he claimed to be his nation's neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine and hinted that China might strengthen ties with Russia in the upcoming year.
Wang also attributed America's role in the worsening of ties between the world's two leading economies, claiming that China has "firmly rejected the United States' erroneous China policy." According to the Los Angeles Times, the Chinese official was speaking via video at a summit in the Chinese capital.
China has accused the US of "unilateral bullying" on trade, technology, human rights, and its claims to most of the western Pacific. With much of Europe, relations have become even more strained as a result of its failure to denounce the invasion of Ukraine and join others in placing sanctions on Russia.
According to Wang, China and Russia will "deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation." Last week, naval exercises involving ships from the two nations were conducted in the East China Sea.
The US State Department noted that Wang spoke on the phone with American Secretary of State Antony Blinken late last week. During the call, Blinken talked about how worried he was about how Russia's war in Ukraine threatens global security and economic stability. He also talked about how important it is to manage the relationship between the US and China in a responsible manner.
