“Any instability in the Straits resulting from an escalation, accident or use of force would have enormous economic and security implications in the region and globally,” a Commission spokesman said.
Global alarm of a possible escalation, which may even lead to a military conflict, has been signaled in recent hours, following the large-scale retaliatory exercises carried out by China in the Taiwan Strait in retaliation for the meeting of the speaker of the US House Kevin McCarthy with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in California.
Taiwan’s government said on Saturday it had detected 42 Chinese aircraft as well as eight ships crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the unofficial border between the two countries. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, a claim rejected by Taipei, but also by Western powers, most notably the US.
See map from the exercises:
Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned the incursions as “senseless actions” and vowed to “defend national security with strong combat readiness.”
“We are concerned about the People’s Liberation Army’s intensification of military activities in and around the Taiwan Strait, with incursions into the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone and crossing the median line,” a Commission spokesman said, adding: “Any instability in the Straits that resulting from escalation, accident or use of force would have enormous economic and security implications in the region and globally. It is the key to exercise self-restraint.”
Beijing announced the drills shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron visited China.
Beijing considers the meeting of the president of the US House with the president of Taiwan a challenge, speaking of “collusion”, while characterizing the exercises in the Taiwan Strait as “a serious warning” and “necessary action”.
“This is a serious warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces and the collusion and provocation of external forces, and is a necessary action to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command said in a statement. , according to a telegram from the Reuters agency.
Source :Skai
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