Taiwan carries out live-fire drills amid growing incursions from Chinese fighter jets

Taipei: Taiwanese Defence Ministry has informed that Chinese fighter jets and surveillance aircraft violated the island’s airspace a staggering 46 times in the past nine days. The Ministry criticised the incidents, calling them an indication of China ramping up its subversive activities. Taiwan has not submitted to the pressure and begun taking steps towards war-preparedness for retaliating to it. Given the recent events, the Chinese Communist mouthpiece Global Times has threatened Taiwan with war.

'लाईव्ह फायर' Keith Krach, a senior official from US State Department, paid a visit to Taiwan only last week. During the two days of his visit, the Chinese fighter jets and surveillance aircraft attempted to violate Taiwan’s airspace 37 times. China continued with the incursions even after that. In the nine days from the time of the US diplomat’s visit till Thursday, Sept 24, Chinese fighters violated Taiwan’s airspace a staggering 46 times. Taiwanese Defence Ministry has said that the intruding aircraft included fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft as well as anti-submarine aircraft. Taiwan expressed disapproval towards the instances and said the incursions demonstrated China was ratcheting up subversive activities.

'लाईव्ह फायर' As China pressurises Taiwan with incursions, its media continues launching a spate of threats. Global times has once again threatened Taiwan with war. A Global Times story has said that two aircraft carriers, which participated in the recent drills near Taiwan, could prove instrumental in taking control of Taiwan. At the same time, the state-run mouthpiece also went on to say that the Chinese aircraft flights near Taiwanese boundaries were a warning for the island and they may take the next step at any time.

Amid constant provocative activities and threats from China, Taiwan has begun to expand its war-fighting capabilities. The island has begun carrying out live-fire drills at the Matsu Islands, located close to Chinese boundaries. The Taiwanese defence command said that the exercise saw participation from anti-aircraft guns, howitzers and mortars. Taiwan is said to have practised launching attacks on shorelines, a retaliation to ships and air-defence targets. The command on the Matsu Islands is believed to be Taiwan’s frontline defence. Therefore, exercise is considered to have assumed much significance.