China launches military exercises around Taiwan “serious warning” | outside

Through the exercises, the Chinese military wants to test the ability of its aircraft and ships to “dominate the air and sea area” and to fight “under real conditions,” it seems. There is uncertainty about the scope of the exercises.

The reason is the stops made by William Lai, the favorite for the Taiwanese presidential elections next year, in the United States, in New York and San Francisco, after a trip to Paraguay. According to Taiwan, Lai was just passing by. But China regards Taiwan as one of its provinces and opposes any official contact between Taiwan and Western countries.

Washington’s call for calm was of no use. On Saturday, a Chinese Communist Party official denounced Lai’s visit as a “new provocation” to “strengthen cooperation with the United States.”

Meanwhile, Taiwan denounced the military maneuvers as “irrational and provocative behaviour”. In a statement, it said it would send “appropriate forces” to “defend Taiwan’s freedom, democracy and sovereignty.”