Fri Dec 13 19:18:27 UTC 2024: ## China Concludes Massive Military Drills Near Taiwan

**Taipei, Taiwan –** A large-scale Chinese military exercise near Taiwan concluded Thursday, according to Taiwanese authorities. The drills, involving approximately 90 warships and coast guard vessels, simulated attacks on foreign ships and practiced blockading sea routes. While Beijing has not officially acknowledged the maneuvers, Taiwanese officials reported observing the Chinese ships returning to their ports.

The exercises, described by a Taiwanese security official as Beijing’s largest maritime drills in years, followed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visit to the United States and a subsequent call with US House Speaker Mike Johnson. These actions sparked strong condemnation from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.

The drills, which extended from near Japan’s southern islands to the South China Sea, exceeded even the scale of China’s response to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022. A spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, while not confirming the exercises, asserted that China’s military actions are determined solely by its own needs and circumstances, emphasizing the need to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The spokesperson further reiterated China’s commitment to unification with Taiwan, warning against any moves towards Taiwanese independence.

The US, meanwhile, expressed concern over the military activity, with a US military patrol plane observed flying over the Taiwan Strait on Friday. Taiwan’s military and coast guard also closed their emergency response centers following the return of the Chinese vessels. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, and the significant role the US plays in the regional dynamics.

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