Starting the Zhongyang Meeting... US Warship Deployed and Taiwan Begins Joint Exercises

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As China's annual largest political event, the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), began, the US military sent warships to the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan's navy and air force launched joint exercises. Tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait (China and Taiwan) are escalating.

On the 5th, Su Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, announced through the official social media of the Eastern Theater Command that "(on this day) the US missile destroyer USS John Finn passed through the Taiwan Strait and conducted a public show of force."

He explained, "The Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the entire process and took action according to regulations," adding, "The theater command units maintain a high level of readiness at all times to respond to any threats or provocations."

The US Navy also stated that the Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer USS John Finn conducted routine navigation north and south through the Taiwan Strait on this day. However, the US Navy said the USS John Finn's navigation took place in the Taiwan Strait corridor, beyond the territorial waters of coastal countries such as China.

Since the previous day, Taiwan's military has been conducting joint naval and air force exercises in three locations: the eastern Taitung Ludao, the Xiaoliuqiu sea area, and the southern Kaohsiung Zuoying offshore area. The exercises will last for 12 days.

These locations are close to areas where the Chinese military regularly operates. Analysts suggest that Taiwan's exercises are aimed at China's Two Sessions. Taiwan is reported to have deployed Air Force F-16 fighter jets, F-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and Navy S-70C anti-submarine helicopters for this exercise.

China, currently holding the Two Sessions, reiterated its stance opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and foreign interference.

Li Chang, Premier of the State Council of China, stated in the government work report at the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress on the same day, "We will promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification to safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.