China has called Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te a dangerous separatist. (Reuters Photo)
China is conducting massive military maneuvers near Taiwan just days after william Lai, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was sworn in as president of the self-governing democratic Island this Monday.
While speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Mr. Lai promised to safeguard democracy on the island and accused China of military threats to it.
People’s Republic of China (PRC) leader Xi Jinping believes that Taiwan, which is governed independently, should join mainland China and thus become part of it even by force if necessary.
On Thursday, Chinese Navy Colonel Li Xi told state media that the drills were “tough penalties” for ‘separation activities’ three days after Lai was sworn in.
According to Su Tzu-yun from Taiwanese Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), these exercises follow a “longstanding pattern” of “showing political intentions through military means”.
