A Navy helicopter under the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) participates in military exercises in the waters around Taiwan, at an undisclosed location on Aug. 8, 2022 in this handout photo released on Aug. 9 August 2022. Eastern Theater Command. /Slot via REUTERS
TAIPEI, Aug 19 (Reuters) – U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said on Friday that China’s actions around Taiwan were raising the level of risk and he hoped China’s behavior would return to previously established norms.
China, which claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, staged military exercises this month to show its anger over a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, blaming Washington for the tension.
Kendall, speaking to reporters in a teleconference from the US Pacific territory of Guam as part of a trip to the region that will also take in Australia and Japan, said: “We live in a dangerous time”.
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In relation to China’s exercises around Taiwan, which included firing missiles over the island and repeatedly crossing the middle line of the Taiwan Strait, normally an unofficial barrier, he said that Beijing is very provocative.
“The military activities that China engaged in during the time of the speaker’s visit increased the level of risk and they violated some standards, crossing the border was one thing, firing into Japan’s exclusive economic zone was another, and firing over Taiwan himself. This may interest you : Chinese real estate development that accepts watermelon as a payment: This is why. was another,” Kendall said.
Japan said five of the missiles China fired landed in its economic zone.
“These are not actions designed to promote peace and stability in the region, they are very provocative and they increase the level of risk,” he said.
While Kendall declined to comment directly on the details of China’s mid-line crossing, he said China overreacted to Pelosi’s trip.
“I would hope that their behavior will return to the standards that were established before,” he said.
China says that Taiwan is the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with the United States, and that it has the right to ensure its security and defend its territorial integrity.
Taiwan’s government says that because the People’s Republic of China has never ruled, Taiwan has no right to claim it or decide its future, which can only be determined by the island’s 23 million people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has overseen an impressive military modernization program, including developing stealth fighters and aircraft carriers, alarming many of its neighbors and the United States.
“I’m concerned, I think it’s clear to say that the United States is concerned about China’s modernization programs, and we’re also concerned about its behavior in the region,” Kendall said.
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Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Chen Lin and Gerry Doyle in Singapore; Editing by Toby Chopra Read also : China’s housing demand is declining as the population ages, the real estate agent predicts.
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters’ Trust Principles.
Does Taiwan have its own air force?
Taiwan’s air force plans to take delivery of 66 units by 2026 to replace aging AT-3 and F-5 trainer aircraft that have suffered a series of crashes in recent years. This may interest you : Soldiers, JGSDF members help beautify shared installation. An AT-3, a model that first flew in 1980, crashed in May, while three F-5s have crashed in the past year or so.
How good is Taiwan military? Based on 2020 data, it concluded that China has 1,040,000 troops, compared to only 88,000 for Taiwan. China can support its troops with 6,300 tanks and 7,000 artillery pieces, while Taiwan can field 800 and 1,100 respectively.
What aircraft does the Taiwan air Force use?
| Air Force of the Republic of China | |
|---|---|
| Trainer | AT-3B, T-34C |
| Transport | C-130H, Fokker 50, Beechcraft B-1900C, Boeing 737â800 |
| Chinese name | |
| Traditional Chinese | ä¸è¯æ°åç©ºè» |
Does Taiwan have fighter jets?
Taiwan unveiled its most advanced fighter jet, the missile-equipped F-16V, in a rare nighttime demonstration following China’s unprecedented military exercises around the island.
Does Taiwan have air defense?
Taiwan Air Defense Overview The Improved HAWK (I-HAWK) SAM system remains the mainstay of Taiwan’s air defense. It is a medium-range, low-to-medium-altitude system, designed to defend fixed and mobile assets from high-speed aircraft.
Which country has the best air defense? number 1 â Russian anti-aircraft system S-400 Triumf It has been working with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation since 2007, the S-400 uses four missiles to complete its flight: a very long-range 40N6 (400 km). ), long-range 48N6 (250 km), medium-range 9M96E2 (120 km) and short-range 9M96E (40 km).
How strong is Taiwan’s air force?
The Taiwan Air Force has about 70,000 personnel and more than 400 combat aircraft. The current inventory includes about 180 older F-5E/F fighters and more than 100 more modern Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs).
Does Taiwan have ground to air missiles?
It also has an unclear number of aging surface-to-air missiles, and towed short-range anti-aircraft guns and missiles. In a crisis, Taiwan would use these ground-based weapons along with its fighter jets. But Taiwan has a little more than 400 fighter planes in 17 squadrons.
Does Taiwan have anti-aircraft missiles?
During a government-organized media trip to Taiwan’s key east coast air base in Hualien, the air force displayed its anti-aircraft systems, including the domestically developed Sky Bow III surface-to-air missiles.
Does Japan recognize Taiwan?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. After the Japan-PRC Joint Communiqué in 1972, Japan no longer recognizes the Republic of China as the only official government of China. However, Japan maintained non-governmental, working-level relations with Taiwan.
Which countries accept Taiwan as a country? As of April, 13 countries – Belize, Haiti, Vatican City, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu and Guatemala – recognize Taiwan as an independent country, according to World Population Review.
Is Japan friendly with Taiwan?
Although in recent years the Japanese government has officially identified Taiwan as an “extremely crucial partner and important friend”, in a joint statement of the American-Japanese alliance it has resisted explicitly referring to “Taiwan” (in contrast to relatively anodyne statements about âpeace and stability in the Taiwanese Straitâ) or …
Does South Korea recognize Taiwan?
| Taiwan | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Taipei Mission in Korea | Korean Mission in Taipei |
