China is particularly angry that the Taiwanese president spoke to US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. One day after returning from the United States, China announced the exercises, immediately condemning the visit to the United States.
According to China, Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and China has never given up the use of force to control the island. Which leads to huge protests from Taiwan.
Joint sword
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army exercises began under the name of ‘Joint Sword’, but instead of the previously disclosed location (the Taiwan Strait, ed), the exercises are now taking place around Taiwan. And this, according to Chinese troops, can be seen as a ‘serious warning’. It is a serious warning to “the provocative attitude of Taiwan’s pro-independence and separatist forces,” said a Chinese spokesman. “We will not shy away from action necessary to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”