China carries out war games around Taiwan, escalates tension in region

Taiwan is a democratic island, which China claims to be its own region.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said its ground force on Wednesday conducted long-range live-fire drills in waters of the East China Sea according to training plans of the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise, reported Xinhua news agency.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command told the news agency: "The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects."

Meanwhile, Taiwan's president's office condemned the exercise and called it 'military provocations'.

The drills come as China sharpened its rhetoric against Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, labelling him a "parasite" and "separatist", reported BBC.

Experts

An expert told the Global Times that this move demonstrates the PLA's tighter siege on "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces through more stringent measures with thunderous actions.

Zhang Chi, a professor at the National Defense University, told Global Times that Wednesday's PLA exercises in the Taiwan Straits are codenamed "Strait Thunder-2025A," which shows that the PLA has rich options and various measures in deterring "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces.

What is the basis of China’s claim over Taiwan?

The basis of China’s claim over Taiwan dates back to 1945 when Japan lost its control over the island in 1945,post-World War Two.

The 1949 Chinese civil war led to communists taking control and Chiang Kai-shek the one who lost fled to Taiwan.

He ruled it for many decades.

This is where China’s claim to Taiwan emanates. The very fact that Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan and was not indigenous to the place is Taiwan’s argument against the claim.