China military ‘completes tasks’ around Taiwan but pledges regular patrols
Print Edition
CHINA’S military has “completed various tasks” around Taiwan island but will conduct regular patrols, it said yesterday.
China had extended its largest-ever exercises around the island beyond the originally scheduled four days, after a visit to Taipei last week by United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In a brief statement, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command said its series of joint military operations in the sea and airspace around Taiwan had “successfully completed various tasks and effectively tested the integrated combat capabilities of the troops.”
“Theater forces will keep an eye on the changes in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, continue to carry out training and preparation for combat, organize regular combat readiness patrols in the direction of the Taiwan Strait, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Videos released by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV yesterday showed Chinese fighter jets scrambling and refueling mid-air, as well as navy ships on drills around Taiwan.
The Eastern Theater Command said the drills were focused on blockades and resupply logistics, “under a complex electromagnetic environment to refine joint containment and control capabilities,” according to CCTV.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China published a white paper titled “The Taiwan Question and China’s Reunification in the New Era” yesterday.
The white paper was released to reiterate the fact that Taiwan is part of China, to demonstrate the resolve of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era.
Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound basis in history and jurisprudence, according to the white paper.
The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is a political document encapsulating the one-China principle whose legal authority leaves no room for doubt and has been acknowledged worldwide, says the white paper.
The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations. “We are one China, and Taiwan is part of China. This is an indisputable fact supported by history and the law. Taiwan has never been a state; its status as part of China is unalterable,” it said.
The CPC is committed to the historic mission of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification. Under its resolute leadership, people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits have worked together to de-escalate tension across the Straits. They have set out on a path of peaceful development and made many breakthroughs in improving cross-Straits relations, according to the white paper.
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee reacted to the white paper.
In August 1993 and February 2000, the Chinese government published two previous white papers on Taiwan. These provided a comprehensive and systematic elaboration of the basic principles and policies regarding the resolution of the Taiwan question, said the spokesperson.
The white paper conveyed the CPC and the Chinese government’s willingness to continue to work with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification and win over the understanding and support of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, especially Taiwan compatriots, and the international community, said the spokesperson.
“We hope Taiwan compatriots will stand on the right side of history, be proud of their Chinese identity, and fully consider the position and role of Taiwan in China’s rejuvenation. We hope they will pursue the greater good of the nation, resolutely oppose separatism and any form of external interference, and make a positive contribution to the just cause of China’s peaceful reunification.”
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