I have a large relation with president Xi, and he hasn't told me anything about [exercises]. [...] No, nothing worries me. There's been a sea drill going on there for 20 years. said Trump during a joint conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin at Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Military maneuvers launched on Monday take place little than 2 weeks after the United States announced 1 of the largest arms sales contracts in past to Taiwan. This transaction provoked the outrage of Beijing, which treats the autonomous island as a rebellious province.
Fair Mission 2025
Warships, land forces and aviation are active in the exercises. It was previously reported that the maneuvers were to begin on Tuesday. Taiwanese authorities have appealed to Beijing for their immediate termination.
The Chinese press agency Xinhua has published a graphics showing 5 areas around the island where restrictions will be imposed for maritime and air traffic.
A spokesperson for the command of the east Military Theatre of China, Colonel Shi Yi, reported that the maneuvers under the name Fair Mission 2025 are designed to check the readiness of marine and air forces to take control of key ports and another strategical areas. He besides pointed out that the exercises themselves constitute a serious informing to Taiwanese separatists and abroad interference.
Taiwan reaction
The Taiwan Ministry of defence reported that 130 Chinese military aircraft were present in the island area on Tuesday morning, of which 90 breached the alleged midline – the border between China and Taiwan, which Beijing does not recognise.
The hotel reported that Taiwanese armed forces have kept an up-to-date eye on the situation and have responded to aircraft, ships and coastal rocket systems. The Taiwanese President's office criticised the maneuvers, identifying them as an action undermining global standards.
