Taipei: Taiwan has pledged to firmly defend its sovereignty and democratic way of life after China carried out large scale military drills around the island at the end of the year.
In a New Year address to the nation President Lai Ching-te said the exercises once again showed the growing pressure Taiwan faces and the need to stay united and prepared. He said Taiwan would continue to safeguard peace while standing firm against threats.
China’s People’s Liberation Army conducted two days of drills around Taiwan involving warships aircraft and missile forces. Beijing described the operation as a warning against what it called separatist activities and foreign interference. The Chinese military later announced that the exercises had been successfully completed.
Despite some Chinese ships and aircraft pulling back Taiwan’s defence ministry said its forces remained on high alert. Military units continued to monitor activity in the air and at sea to ensure the island’s security.
President Lai also renewed his call for stronger defence capabilities including higher military spending and closer cooperation with partners. He said Taiwan’s commitment to peace does not mean weakness and stressed that protecting freedom requires readiness.
China which claims Taiwan as its own territory repeated its position that reunification is inevitable. Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his New Year message that bringing Taiwan and the mainland together remains a national goal.
The recent drills have drawn concern from several countries in the region and beyond. The United States and Japan urged restraint and warned that rising tensions could affect stability in the Indo Pacific.
For now Taiwan says it will remain calm but vigilant as cross strait relations enter the new year under renewed strain.