The new Taiwanese president, William Lai (Lai Ching-te), assured that His Government will show “determination” when it comes to “protecting” the islandaround which China deployed intense military maneuvers this Thursday that are scheduled to continue on Friday.
“At this time, the international community is paying close attention to democratic Taiwan. In the face of external challenges and threats We will continue to defend the value of freedom and democracy and protect regional peace and stability“said the president during an event at the headquarters of the 66th Marine Infantry Brigade.
In his speech, in which he did not explicitly refer to China’s exercises, Lai highlighted his “trust” in the island Army and asked all citizens “let them be calm.”
“As commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, my responsibility is to protect our country and protect the lives and property of all the (Taiwanese) people. I will be on the same front as my brothers and sisters in the Army to jointly protect national security,” Lai pointed out.
President, branded by Beijing as a “secessionist” and a “troublemaker”also stressed his intention to “promote the national defense reformstrengthen the Army’s overall combat effectiveness and provide better care” to members of the Armed Forces.
“I firmly believe that taking good care of the national army means taking good care of the country,” Lai said.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China announced the start of military exercises near Taiwan starting at 7:45 this morning (7:45 p.m. Chilean time on Wednesday), as “strong punishment” for “separatist acts” relating to the independence” of Taiwan.
China described the military maneuvers as “completely legitimate and necessary”noting that they are “in line with international law and practice.”
“These exercises seek to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China as well as punish the separatist activities of those promoting ‘Taiwan independence’. They are also a serious warning against external forces that provoke and interfere in China’s internal affairs,” said the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Wang Wenbin at a press conference.
For their part, both the Government and Taiwan’s two main opposition parties expressed their condemnation of the maneuvers on Thursday.
Along these lines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that Taiwan “will continue to defend its belief in democracy” and will not change “due to coercion” from China, which considers the island, governed autonomously since 1949, as a “rebellious province.”
