WW3 fears as China issues chilling warning to the US amid Taiwan drills | World | News
China has warned the US that intervening in Taiwan “will be met with a harsh counter-attack” as Beijing launches major military exercises around the democratically governed island. China deployed troops, warships, warplanes and artillery to encircle Taiwan on Monday as part of the most comprehensive war games near the South Asian nation; It conducted exercises to simulate attacks on land and sea targets and to blockade its main ports.
The sixth round of war games since 2022, which escalates Beijing’s territorial claims over the country, follows the announcement of a record US-Taiwan $11.1bn (£8.2bn) arms deal, including drones and medium-range missiles.
In a chilling warning against further encouragement of the Pacific Island nation, China’s foreign ministry said: “Any acts of provocation regarding the Taiwan issue will certainly be met with a harsh counter-attack by China.”
Asked whether the recent military exercises were provoked by US action, the spokesman added: “China’s defense of national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity is unwavering.”
Beijing has long viewed Taiwan as a breakaway province from which it could regain control after it was divided during the civil war in 1949, and the two provinces maintain strong trade and business links.
The island, located about 160 miles off the coast of southeastern China, has consistently rejected Chinese claims of sovereignty but has maintained its status as a self-governing democracy.
Hsieh Jih-sheng, deputy chief of staff for intelligence at Taiwan’s defense ministry, told Reuters: “Our armed forces operate on the principle of preparing for the worst and must take every possible scenario into account.”
“Conducting live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait… will not only put military pressure on us, but may also lead to more complex challenges and impacts for the international community and neighboring countries.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense also said in a statement that it had deployed appropriate forces in response to the exercises, calling the Chinese Communist Party “an aggressor and the biggest destroyer of peace.”
Fu Zhengyuan, a researcher at the Chinese army’s Academy of Military Sciences, said the maneuvers were justified by the growing closeness between U.S. and Taiwanese combat forces, increasing the likelihood of a direct conflict between the two superpowers.
Beijing also imposed sanctions on 20 US companies and 10 executives following the announcement of the arms deal and called on the President. Donald Trump To stop “dangerous moves to arm Taiwan.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement last Friday: “We emphasize once again that the Taiwan issue is at the center of China’s core interests and is the first red line in Sino-US relations that should not be crossed. Any company or individual who sells arms to Taiwan will pay the price for this mistake.”
The US said the sale would “preserve political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.” Under federal law, he is required to assist Taiwan in self-defense, which has brought Taiwan into increasing disputes with China; This week’s drills are likely to increase tensions on both sides.
