The Ministry of National Defense (MND) today condemned China for its “irrational” and “provocative” actions following China's announcement earlier this morning that it had launched military drills around Taiwan as a “stern warning” to those who promote Taiwan independence.
The ministry “strongly condemns this irrational and provocative behavior and has dispatched appropriate forces ... to respond, taking concrete actions to safeguard freedom, democracy and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China,” the MND said in a statement.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced today that it had launched military drills code-named "Joint Sword-2024B," involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.”
Photo: AFP
The drills focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, blockade on key ports and areas, and assault on maritime and ground targets, the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command said.
China’s announcement of military drills came four days after President William Lai (賴清德) gave his Double Ten National Day address, in which he said China has "no right to represent Taiwan" and reiterated that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are "not subordinate" to each other.
The MND said today that the president’s National Day speech highlighted the current state of cross-strait relations and his firm determination to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while also advocating for cross-strait cooperation in addressing climate change and epidemic prevention.
The Chinese Communist Party is intensifying cross-strait tensions and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the MND said, adding that the military would continue to enhance its deterrence capability and strengthen its resilience to safeguard national security.
The Mainland Affairs Council dismissed the military exercises as an “open provocation” to peace and the world’s democracies, which prove that China’s 2022 “Global Security Initiative” is nothing but “lies.”
The council “strongly condemns” Beijing’s actions to harm regional security and "destroy" the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait, it said, adding that the Republic of China would not “be bowed” or “submit” in the face of China’s military threats.
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE: Without its Taiwanese partners which are ‘working around the clock,’ Nvidia could not meet AI demand, CEO Jensen Huang said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) and US-based artificial intelligence (AI) chip designer Nvidia Corp have partnered with each other on silicon photonics development, Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) said. Speaking with reporters after he met with TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) in Taipei on Friday, Huang said his company was working with the world’s largest contract chipmaker on silicon photonics, but admitted it was unlikely for the cooperation to yield results any time soon, and both sides would need several years to achieve concrete outcomes. To have a stake in the silicon photonics supply chain, TSMC and
SILICON VALLEY HUB: The office would showcase Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and help Taiwanese start-ups connect with global opportunities Taiwan has established an office in Palo Alto, one of the principal cities of Silicon Valley in California, aimed at helping Taiwanese technology start-ups gain global visibility, the National Development Council said yesterday. The “Startup Island Taiwan Silicon Valley hub” at No. 299 California Avenue is focused on “supporting start-ups and innovators by providing professional consulting, co-working spaces, and community platforms,” the council said in a post on its Web site. The office is the second overseas start-up hub established by the council, after a similar site was set up in Tokyo in September last year. Representatives from Taiwanese start-ups, local businesses and
‘DETERRENT’: US national security adviser-designate Mike Waltz said that he wants to speed up deliveries of weapons purchased by Taiwan to deter threats from China US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, affirmed his commitment to peace in the Taiwan Strait during his confirmation hearing in Washington on Tuesday. Hegseth called China “the most comprehensive and serious challenge to US national security” and said that he would aim to limit Beijing’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region, Voice of America reported. He would also adhere to long-standing policies to prevent miscalculations, Hegseth added. The US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing was the first for a nominee of Trump’s incoming Cabinet, and questions mostly focused on whether he was fit for the
SHARED VALUES: The US, Taiwan and other allies hope to maintain the cross-strait ‘status quo’ to foster regional prosperity and growth, the former US vice president said Former US vice president Mike Pence yesterday vowed to continue to support US-Taiwan relations, and to defend the security and interests of both countries and the free world. At a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Pence said that the US and Taiwan enjoy strong and continued friendship based on the shared values of freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Such foundations exceed limitations imposed by geography and culture, said Pence, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time. The US and Taiwan have shared interests, and Americans are increasingly concerned about China’s
RSS