China-Taiwan Tensions Rise

China's military has begun joint military exercises involving air and naval forces around the island of Taiwan, following Taiwanese Deputy Leader Lai Ching-te's "transit visits" to the US cities of New York and San Francisco before and after his visit to the South American country of Paraguay.
The exercise serves as a warning against forces defending Taiwan's independence. Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced that Chinese military aircraft and warships were seen around the island. The exercise focuses on the coordination of aircraft and ships and the control of air and sea areas.
"IT IS A STERN WARNING TO SEPARATISTS"
Colonel Xi Yi, spokesman for the Chinese Army's (PRC) Eastern Front Command, said in a statement that the exercise, which took place in the airspace and waters north and southwest of Taiwan, "is a stern warning against the cooperation of forces defending Taiwan's independence with foreign powers."
Spokesman Shi said the exercise, in which naval and air force elements participated, was an "emergency combat readiness patrol and exercise" and "focused on the coordination of aircraft and ships and the ability to control air and sea areas."
The command's social media account shared video of the exercise, and state television CCTV reported that ships and fighter jets carrying guided missiles participated in the exercise.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced that 42 Chinese military aircraft and eight warships were seen around the island from midnight the previous day to yesterday evening.
The ministry said 26 of the 42 aircraft had crossed the air and sea line in the Taiwan Strait, which is supposed to limit the parties' sphere of influence.
The statement noted that Taiwan's armed forces are closely monitoring the situation with warplanes, ships, detection-tracking vehicles, and land-based missile systems.
"TRANSITIONS VISITS"
The exercise came after Lai, the acting leader of Taiwan, which is embroiled in a sovereignty dispute with China, returned to the island after stopping in the US city of San Francisco following a visit to Paraguay.
Lai had stopped in New York and then San Francisco before visiting Paraguay to attend the inauguration of newly elected President Santiago Pena on Aug. 15.
The "transit visits" of Lai, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan's leadership election next year, have drawn criticism from China, which considers the island part of its territory.
At his daily press conference in Beijing yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Winbin argued that the US allowing visits, which he described as a "stopover", violated the "one China" principle and undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Recalling that the Washington administration had pledged to maintain only informal relations with Taiwan in the Three Joint Declarations that form the basis of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Spokesman Wang reported that they condemned the visits and protested against the United States.
Wang expressed the view that Lai, Taiwan's deputy leader, described himself as "someone who works for Taiwan's independence" and that by allowing the United States to engage in political activities in his country, spread separatist ideas, hold official contacts, and establish concrete relations on Taiwan's behalf, he once again demonstrated his intention to eviscerate the "one China" principle and use Taiwan to contain China.
Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen also made "transit visits" to the United States before and after visits to the Central American countries of Guatemala and Belize in early April, where she met with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The Chinese army had organized a 3-day military exercise around the island in response to the visit.
Former US House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022 also sparked a crisis between Washington and Beijing.
Following the visit, the Chinese military held military exercises around the island that created a de facto blockade, and guided missiles fired from mainland China fell into Taiwanese waters during exercises using live weapons and ammunition.
Following the visit, China increased aircraft and ship patrols around Taiwan, regularly crossing the nominal "middle line" separating the Taiwan Strait.
TAIWAN CHINA DISPUTE
Taiwan, which China claims to be part of its territory, has enjoyed de facto independence since 1949, when the occupation of East Turkistan led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
The separation between mainland China and Taiwan, which emerged after the civil war, still remains.
Emphasizing the principle of "One China", Beijing opposes Taiwan's establishment of independent diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, its representation in the United Nations and other international organizations, and requires countries that recognize it to break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan.