Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed on her Facebook account that the Chinese military maneuvers caused instability in Taiwan and the region, describing them as irresponsible actions of a major country, after Beijing ended military exercises around the island that lasted for three days.
“I represent my country in front of the world”
“I (as president) represent my country to the world,” Tsai said in a post on her Facebook account shortly before midnight on Monday, and that her trips abroad, including her visit to the United States, were not new and were in line with the expectations of the Taiwanese people.
She also added, “But China took advantage of this to launch military exercises, causing instability in Taiwan and the region. This is not responsible behavior from a major country in the region.”
“act calmly and professionally”
Tsai said Taiwan’s armed forces and coast guard acted calmly and professionally, and she thanked all the participants.
During the maneuvers, China simulated precise strikes against Taiwan and its blockade, with the participation of dozens of combat aircraft and bombers.
91 aircraft flew around Taiwan
For its part, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said yesterday that 91 Chinese aircraft circled the island.
While Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reported that this number was a record, the Ministry of Defense said it could not confirm the validity of this.
Military exercises
It is noteworthy that China began the military exercises on Saturday, after Tsai returned to Taipei following her meeting in Los Angeles with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. China had warned the United States not to allow Tsai to visit it or meet with McCarthy.
China has never ruled out the possibility of using force to bring the island under Beijing’s control. The Taiwan government firmly rejects China’s allegations and has repeatedly condemned the maneuvers.
