China has started military exercises surrounding Taiwan.

In a statement made by the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense on its X social media platform account, it was noted that 25 military aircraft flew around the island until 08:00, of which 16 crossed the "median line" in the Taiwan Strait, which is assumed to limit the spheres of influence of the parties, and flew in the area declared as Taiwan's "Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)." It was also reported that 7 warships belonging to the Chinese navy were detected around the island. The flights and naval patrols are part of the military exercises that China initiated around the island during the night. The Chinese army announced this morning that it had begun comprehensive military exercises surrounding the island. In a statement from the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China, it was reported that troops from land, air, sea, and rocket forces participated in the exercise named "Joint Sword-2024B."

TENSIONS RISE IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT

Lai, who claimed that the government in Taiwan continues to exist, stated that the Republic of China, which he claims, and the People's Republic of China, which dominates mainland China, "are not under each other's yoke," and therefore China has no right to represent Taiwan, sending a message that they would "resist annexation and sovereignty usurpation." The Beijing administration reacted to Lai's statements, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that comments such as "Taiwan has sovereignty" and "China and Taiwan are not under each other's yoke" are different versions of the same independence narrative, and that Lai's words once again revealed Taiwan's stubbornness regarding independence and his intention to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait for his own political gain.

TAIWAN HAS DE FACTO INDEPENDENCE SINCE 1949

Claiming that Taiwan is part of its territory, China has had de facto independence since 1949. The separation and sovereignty dispute that arose after the civil war between mainland China and Taiwan continues. In recent years, the Beijing administration, which has increased military pressure on Taiwan, emphasizes that it will not rule out the use of force if necessary for the island's reunification with the mainland.