The PRC has started a three-day military exercise near Taiwan, during which its armed forces will draw up an operation to encircle the island, reports China Military. The exercises will last until April 10.
China calls the exercise a “stern warning” to Taiwan and “external forces”. According to China’s Global Times, the exercise involves an aircraft carrier, warships, aviation and various missile systems. Other types of weapons and equipment are also expected to take part in the exercises, including electronic warfare aircraft and bombers, writing editing.
In turn, the BBC suggeststhat China’s military exercises could be a response to Taiwan Chief of Staff Tsai Ing-wen’s trip to the United States, where she met with Senate Speaker Kevin McCarthy on April 6.
China regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of itself. At the same time, in fact, Beijing no longer controls the island since the end of the civil war and the creation of the PRC in 1949.
Tensions between China and Taiwan escalated in August due to visit on the island of Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. As part of this trip, the Chinese authorities called “reunification” with Taiwan inevitable.