China announces encircling Taiwan to test its ability to “take power” on the island

These maneuvers are presented by Beijing as “punishment” against the new president of the island and the “independence” forces.

One more step towards war? Chinese warships and fighter planes surrounded Taiwan on Friday, May 24, on the second day of military maneuvers intended, according to Beijing, to test its “capacity to take power” in the autonomous island. China presented these military exercises on Thursday as a “severe punishment” against the “separatists” of the island, which will end “in the blood”.

Four Chinese coast guard vessels entered the “forbidden waters” of two Taiwanese islands, Taipei said. “This is the eighth time this month that Chinese coast guard vessels have sailed in prohibited waters”indicated the Taiwanese coast guard, which “urged China to exercise restraint and immediately cease its irrational behavior”.

The operations, which involve China’s army, navy, air force and rocket unit, come after the swearing-in of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, on Monday. Taiwan “will defend the values ​​of freedom and democracy”reacted Lai Ching-te on Thursday, described by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist” for his past statements in favor of the island’s independence, although he has since moderated his speech. “I will stand on the front lines with our brothers and sisters in the military to defend national security together”he assured.

China considers that Taiwan is one of its provinces, which it has not yet succeeded in reunifying with its territory since the end of the civil war and the coming to power of the communists in 1949. For several years, Beijing has intensified its threats and political, economic and military pressure on Taiwan. The People’s Republic of China says it favors reunification “peaceful” with the island territory of 23 million inhabitants, but does not rule out using force.

During his swearing-in, Lai Ching-te, also known by his English name William Lai, urged China to “stop its political and military intimidation”. Taiwanese separatists “will be pilloried of shame for history”reacted the next day, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.

The UN called on all parties on Friday to “refrain from any action that could aggravate tensions”. In Washington, a senior American official said that the United States “watched very closely” the situation and called China “with restraint”.