On Monday, China held sweeping military drills in the seas and skies around Taiwan in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's resolute National Day speech three days earlier.
In that address, Lai stated that he will “uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” and that “the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.”
Lai added: “The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan.”
Beijing portrayed the speech as a provocation, stating that it merely reinforced Lai’s “stubborn Taiwan independence stance.”
Lai, in his speech, also reiterated Taiwan’s goal of hitting net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring a stable power supply, achieving health equality, adapting to extreme weather, and remaining part of global supply chains, especially when it comes to semiconductors.
China unleashes air force, navy
Taiwan’s defence ministry said that, from Monday to Tuesday morning, 90 Chinese “warplanes” breached Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Taipei also detected 34 Chinese vessels taking part in the military exercises.
Taiwan also suggested that Beijing concurrently deployed “cognitive warfare” (e.g. hacking social media pages and spreading disinformation) during the exercises.
On Wednesday, the U.S. and Philippines began exercises of their own nearby, involving up to 2,000 American and Filipino military personnel and continuing until October 25. Australia, Japan, and South Korea will also participate in the exercises.
The chairman’s statement from the recent ASEAN summits in Laos delicately referenced disputes in the neighbouring South China Sea, although it skirted any mention of China, an ASEAN Dialogue Partner. ASEAN also welcomed ongoing co-operation with Canada.
