TAIPEI: Minister of Defense of Taiwan Chiu Kuo-cheng warned on Monday that the island should be on high alert this year for the “sudden entry” of the Chinese military into areas near its territory amid rising military tensions in the sensitive area Taiwan Strait.
China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including almost daily air force incursions into the island’s air defense identification zone.
However, Taiwan has not yet reported any incidents of Chinese forces entering its contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44.4 km) from its shores.
Responding to questions from a lawmaker in parliament, Chiu said China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may find excuses to enter areas close to Taiwan’s territorial air and sea space as the island intensifies its military exchanges with the United States, to the chagrin of Beijing.
He said the PLA could make a “sudden entry” into Taiwan’s contiguous zone and move closer to its territorial space, which the island defines as 12 nautical miles from its shores.
“(I) specifically make those comments this year, which means they’re making such preparations,” he said. “Looking ahead, they would use force if they really had to.”
Taiwan has pledged to exercise its right to self-defense and to counterattack if Chinese armed forces enter its territory.
China claims Taiwan as its own and has not relinquished the use of force to bring the island under Chinese control, if necessary. Taiwan firmly rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide its future.
China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including almost daily air force incursions into the island’s air defense identification zone.
However, Taiwan has not yet reported any incidents of Chinese forces entering its contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44.4 km) from its shores.
Responding to questions from a lawmaker in parliament, Chiu said China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may find excuses to enter areas close to Taiwan’s territorial air and sea space as the island intensifies its military exchanges with the United States, to the chagrin of Beijing.
He said the PLA could make a “sudden entry” into Taiwan’s contiguous zone and move closer to its territorial space, which the island defines as 12 nautical miles from its shores.
“(I) specifically make those comments this year, which means they’re making such preparations,” he said. “Looking ahead, they would use force if they really had to.”
Taiwan has pledged to exercise its right to self-defense and to counterattack if Chinese armed forces enter its territory.
China claims Taiwan as its own and has not relinquished the use of force to bring the island under Chinese control, if necessary. Taiwan firmly rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide its future.
