JAKARTA - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen directly praised the country's military determination to defend its territorial sovereignty, while directly supervising the annual military exercises of the navy and air force from aboard warships.
The military drills, which simulate the defense of invading forces, coincide with island-wide air raid drills as they increase combat readiness in the face of increasing military pressure from China.
As part of Taiwan's annual 'Han Kuang' drill, 20 warships including frigates and destroyers fired shells to intercept and attack would-be attackers off Taiwan's northeast coast. Meanwhile, a fleet of domestically made F-16 fighter jets and Ching-kuo fighter jets was launched. air attack.
President Tsai, aboard the US Kidd-class missile destroyer which has been decommissioned in the waters off the port city of Suao, is seen wearing camouflage clothing and greeting soldiers.
"The extraordinary exercise just now demonstrated the capability and determination of the Republic of China army to defend the country," President Tsai told the army via a cabin broadcast, using the official name Taiwan.
"Let's work together to protect our homeland. Good job,” said President Tsai.
Among the warships on display are the island's new mine-carrying vessel as well as a stealth corvette, which has been dubbed by the Taiwanese navy as the "carrier killer" for its anti-ship missile complement.
Separately, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, asked about the drills at a regular briefing in Beijing, repeated China's warnings about any military moves by Taiwan.
"Taiwan's attempt to confront China militarily is akin to a locust trying to block a train," Zhao said.
"In the end, it will definitely fail," he added.
The five-day exercise comes amid growing concerns about China's intentions towards Taiwan. Beijing said on Monday it was raising its warning to President Joe Biden's administration about a possible visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Such visits are often a source of tension between Beijing and Washington.
Meanwhile, the United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by US law to provide the democratically-ruled island with the means to defend itself.
Beijing's growing assertiveness about the island it claims as its own, combined with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has renewed the debate over how to bolster defenses and prompted authorities to step up preparations in the event of a Chinese attack.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing's claim to sovereignty and vows to defend its freedoms and democracy.
Although Taiwan's military is well-trained and equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has a huge numerical advantage and adds advanced equipment such as stealth fighters.
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