According to a statement released by the Chinese military, today China tried to simulate a “blockade” of Taiwan through its military exercises.
Dozens of aircraft have been deployed to enforce an “air blockade” of territory claimed by Beijing, the state-run Chinese television network CCTV also said.
Currently, Taiwan is completely surrounded by the Chinese military.
This includes 9 Chinese destroyers, an aircraft carrier, 71 fighter jets and rocket launchers. pic.twitter.com/9ISWwLoIps— Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) April 9, 2023
Earlier today, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had spotted 11 Chinese warships and 59 warplanes around the island as Beijing will conduct a live-fire exercise ending the three-day exercise.
The Chinese military “continues to conduct military exercises around Taiwan,” the ministry said, adding that among the aircraft seen as of 10:00 (local time; 05:00 Greek time) were fighters and bombers, of which they had passed the middle line and entered the air defense identification zone (AD) on the 39th.
VIDEO: PLA Air Force H-6K bomber launches a mock missile attack on the island of Taiwan during an exercise on Sunday https://t.co/bqwizE7YhZ pic.twitter.com/Lm2ph91GZo
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 10, 2023
US destroyer in South China Sea denounces Beijing
Against this backdrop, China today denounced the “invasion” of a US destroyer into the South China Sea area claimed by Beijing following the US Navy’s announcement that the USS Milius is pursuing “freedom of navigation.” operation” in the area.
On April 10, the Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) declared the rights and freedoms of navigation in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands in accordance with international law.
Learn more: https://t.co/BcOAXsufuO pic.twitter.com/PNyja70Vbv
— 7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) April 10, 2023
“The missile destroyer USS Milius illegally entered the waters adjacent to Mischief Reef in China’s Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government,” said Tian Yunli, spokesman for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Command. the Chinese Air Force “chased and tracked the ship”.
The US Navy has previously indicated that the USS Milius is conducting a “freedom of navigation operation” as the Chinese military exercises around Taiwan.
“This freedom of navigation operation respected the rights, freedoms and legitimate uses of the sea,” the US Navy said in a statement explaining that the destroyer was near the Spratlys.
The Navy noted that USS Milius passed within at least 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, which is claimed by China and other countries in the region.
The US destroyer’s passage through the disputed area comes as China holds a major military exercise around Taiwan for the third day in a row, after island President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Source: APE-MPE, AFP, Reuters.
Source: Kathimerini
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