Taiwan announces full combat readiness due to China's launch of ballistic missiles
Photo: Taiwan is concerned about China's missile tests (Getty Images)
Taiwan's Defence Ministry declared a state of combat readiness on Sunday, September 29, after detecting multiple waves of missile launches deep inside China, according to Reuters.
Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported that it had detected several waves of missile fire beginning at 6:50 a.m. local time on Saturday, September 28, from China's rocket forces and military units in the provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. These areas are located at least 2,000 kilometers from the island.
“Taiwan's forces are continuously monitoring relevant developments, and air defense forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert,” the ministry's statement read.
On Wednesday, China announced that it had successfully conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile launch towards the Pacific Ocean.
The following day, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry raised concerns over a fresh surge of Chinese military activity around the island and live-fire drills, accusing Beijing of pursuing a policy of instability. In response, Chinese military officials stated that their operations around the island were lawful and that the exercises would continue.
China’s Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment outside of business hours.
The democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its territory, closely monitors Chinese military exercises due to Beijing’s frequent activities around the island. However, Taiwan rarely discloses details of events occurring within mainland China.
Tensions between China and Taiwan
After losing the civil war to the communists in the 1940s, the then-leader of China’s Kuomintang Party and his allies fled to Taiwan, where they formed a government in exile. Since then, the island has effectively gained the status of an independent country.
However, both previous and current communist governments in China regard Taiwan as part of their territory. Following the election of pro-Western politician Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's president earlier this year, Beijing significantly increased pressure on Taipei.
Chinese President Xi Jinping intends to conquer Taiwan and annex it to China.
US intelligence has determined that Beijing seeks to take Taiwan by force but currently favors peaceful reunification.
Recently, China deployed all three of its aircraft carriers to sea for the first time in history.
Additionally, Beijing condemned US arms sales to Taiwan, viewing them as a violation of the One China policy.
