China has launched yet another threatening drill near Taiwan on Christmas Day. Beijing’s military blamed the US for the latest drills, saying Washington’s “escalation of collusion and provocation” with Taiwan has forced them to make a “resolute response”.
In a brief statement, the Eastern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had carried out “joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills” around Taiwan.
While not specifying the exact location, they said: “This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan.
“Theatre forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Taiwan’s defence ministry fired back and said China’s actions “once again highlight its mentality of resolving differences by force and destroying regional peace and stability”.
Taiwan-US cooperation contributes to the freedom, openness, peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific, and Taiwan will continue to boost its military in accordance with the enemy threat and its self-defence needs, the ministry said.
“The Chinese Communist’s ‘military intimidation’ acts are obviously aimed at cowing our people and are not conducive to (China’s) international image,” it added.
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It comes after President Joe Biden signed into law the $858billion National Defence Authorisation Act, which provides billions to Taiwan in aid.
In the legislation, $11.5billion is eyed for an initiative to enhance US deterrence and defence in the Indo-Pacific.
The bill focuses on “the most vital national security priorities for the United States, including strategic competition with China and Russia,” it’s summary said.
Chinese defence ministry’s spokesman, Colonel Tan Kefei, said the bill proved again the US “is the direct threat to the international order and the culprit of the regional turbulence”.
It comes as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Christmas that the relations between Beijing and Washington are facing “serious difficulties.”
While delivering a speech at a symposium, he said the relations were strained “because the United States stubbornly continued to perceive China as its main competitor and engaged in blatant containment, suppression and provocation against China”.
He underscored that “no hegemonic power could intimidate us,” adding that Beijing will continue to act “decisively to protect [its] interests”.
