China conducts military drills near Taiwan, warns US against its pledge to defend Taipei

China on Wednesday announced that it has conducted military drills near Taiwan, just a few days after United States President Joe Biden indicated that US would intervene if Beijing attempted to reunify Taiwan by force. According to a Xinhua report, a Chinese defence spokesperson said, " recent patrol and training exercises by People's Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan Island were necessary actions against collusion between Taiwan and United States."

A spokesman for Ministry of National Defense, Tan Kefei noted that PLA Eastern ater Command has recently conducted a combined war-preparedness alert patrol and combat training drills involving soldiers from several services and arms in oceans and skies around Taiwan Island. He furr stated that se are appropriate steps taken in response to collusion between Taiwan and US, and in accordance with necessity to protect "national sovereignty and territorial integrity".  

Despite deces of independent rule, China continues to see Taiwan as its territory. If necessary, Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to capture island. 

Tan Kefei went on to claim that pursuing "Taiwan independence" is bound to fail, as is supporting such measures, and that US is jeopardising situation by using "Taiwan card" to limit China. 

China calls military drills a 'solemn warning to recent US-Taiwan collusion activities'

military exercises were a "solemn warning to recent US-Taiwan collusion activities," according to Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for PLA's Eastern atre Command. Furrmore, command conducted "multi-service joint combat reiness patrols" and real combat exercises in sea and airspace near Taiwan, SCMP reported.  

China's reaction came after President Biden on Monday stated that US is prepared to intervene militarily to defend Taiwan in event of an invasion. On May 23, Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss bilateral, regional, and global collaboration. Biden, during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister, emphasised nation's commitment to safeguarding security of Taiwan Strait and opposing unilateral changes to status quo.  

When asked if US is prepared to intervene militarily in Taiwan's defence, he said yes, ding that this is pledge that US has me. According to an ANI report, Biden said, “We remain committed to supporting peace and stability in Taiwan Strait. US stands firmly with Japan and or nations not to let that happen (China taking over Taiwan)".  

(Image: AP)