On Wednesday, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Beijing is closely monitoring the movements of the Taiwanese army, and warned that “any provocations” or “rash” actions are doomed to fail.
“Whether it is ‘routine’ training or a ‘targeted’ provocation, the DPP authorities know better than anyone in their hearts,” Chen told a press briefing, referring to the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
He said people on Quemoy, which is also known as Kinmen, have grown up cherishing peace and have made the right choice between “firing guns” and “building bridges”.
Taiwan opposition questions President Tsai’s absence from Taiping pier ceremony
Taiwan opposition questions President Tsai’s absence from Taiping pier ceremony
Earlier this month, Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency issued a notice that the army’s Kinmen Defence Command will stage artillery exercises to bolster combat readiness around Quemoy.
The drills are scheduled to take place over about 20 days between April 2 and April 30. Those include parts of Quemoy, and its tiny outlying islets of Houyu, Fuyun, Fuxing, Shiyu, Muyu and Lieyu.
The Taiwanese military has said that the drills are routine exercises and have no specific target, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.
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War scarred bunkers on Quemoy reflect the islands’ frontline role in Taiwan Strait tension
War scarred bunkers on Quemoy reflect the islands’ frontline role in Taiwan Strait tension
The Taiwanese authorities have argued that the fishing boat had illegally entered its “prohibited or restricted waters”. Beijing denied the waters were restricted, and accused the Taiwanese coastguards of using “violent and dangerous methods” in their pursuit.
Since then, the mainland coastguard has been carrying out regular patrols around Quemoy, while Taiwan has sent patrol vessels to warn off the mainland ships when they enter the waters off Quemoy and Matsu, another outpost controlled by Taipei off the coast of Fujian.
Ex-Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou planning to visit mainland China
Ex-Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou planning to visit mainland China
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China that must eventually be reunited with the mainland – by force if necessary – and has steadily ramped up its military activities around the island in recent years.
Most countries, including Taiwan’s main international partner the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons to help defend itself.
