TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday called on China to unclench its fists following reports Beijing is planning large-scale exercises around Taiwan in retaliation for his tour of South Pacific allies, Hawaii, and Guam.
As Lai wrapped up his trip in Palau, a reporter pointed out that after he returns to Taiwan, the PLA is expected to launch Joint Sword-2024C. Lai replied the international community has indeed taken note of the assembly of authoritarian countries in the Indo-Pacific region, per ETtoday.
Lai said this includes military cooperation between China and Russia, as well as North Korea's participation in the Russo-Ukrainian War. The president said these actions have introduced destabilizing factors to the region.
Lai said Taiwan's national security agencies maintain close coordination and cooperation with friendly nations. He said, "When authoritarian countries assemble, democratic countries must stand even more united," per ETtoday.
Lai said China should “choose to open its hands rather than clench its fists,” reported ETtoday. He added, “No amount of military exercises, warships, or aircraft used to intimidate neighboring countries can win the respect of any country.”
Reuters on Nov. 27 cited a Taiwan security official, saying that China will use Lai's tour of South Pacific allies as a pretext to launch the Joint Sword-2024C drills. On Sunday, the Facebook page Taiwan ADIZ observed that a Chinese electronic reconnaissance ship and dock landing ship passed through waters off northeast Taiwan and headed south.
Japan's Joint Staff Office on Tuesday confirmed the presence of a Russian Ingul-class rescue tug, and a Kilo-class submarine, heading northeast in waters south of Yonaguni Island, likely joining three Russian frigates and one supply vessel spotted Monday.
Simultaneously, Beijing has dispatched nearly 40 Chinese vessels around the Taiwan Strait, including an aircraft carrier strike group headed by the Liaoning in the East China Sea and naval and coast guard ships maneuvering in the South China Sea.
