China simulates attack on Taiwan, warplanes encircle the Island
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Taipei: It seems China is all set to attack Taiwan at the drop of a hat if the military drills it has conducted on Sunday are any indication.
Simulating a real war, Chinese fighter jets and warships encircled the Island on a second day responding to Taiwan president’s meet with the US House speaker.
As the situation is escalating to a war, the US administration asked China to be restraint, adding that it is ‘monitoring Beijing’s actions closely’ AFP reported.
China’s three-day operation called ‘ Joint Sword’, which appears to be rehearsing potential invasion of the Island, will conclude on Monday, reports say quoting the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command.
The army added that China’s war planes, ships and personnel were sent into the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait.
The military drills are largely seen as Beijing's flexing of its muscles as part of browbeating Taiwan.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday reportedly said that military drills focused on ‘precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan island and surrounding waters’.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was quick to condemn the military drills as it was happening after she met with US House speaker Kevin McCarthy in California, according to AFP.
Ing-wen reportedly vowed to work with ‘ the US and other like-minded countries’ against ‘ continued authoritarian expansionism’.
Meanwhile, a US spokesperson said that the United States had asked ‘ constantly’ to be restraint and urging ‘ no change to the status quo’.
The US administration made it clear that it had ‘ amble resources to fulfil its security commitments in Asia’.
China’s military exercise on Monday will include ‘ live-fire drills’ off the coast of China’s Fujian province, which sits 80 km south of Taiwan’s Matsu Islands.
