China says it's ready for war, completes extensive three-day exercises

Part of the training was the simulation of the isolation of the independent island. Military training was an answer to the Taiwanese president's trip to the United States last week.

The maneuvers were meant to send a warning to Taiwan's independent island, which China says is part of it, China's military said today.

“War crimes are ready to fight at any time and can fight at any time to hit firmly any form of the “Taiwan independence” and foreign intervention efforts”, It says a Chinese Army statement.

The maneuvers were similar to those carried out by China last August, when it fired missiles on targets in the sea around Taiwan in retaliation for the then president's visit of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelos in Taiwan, but they have been to a smaller scale and have caused smaller obstacles.

Military experts say the exercises serve as a threat and an opportunity for Chinese troops to practice the closure of Taiwan, blocking maritime and air traffic -- an important strategic option that the Chinese army can implement if it decides to take Taiwan by force.

Chinese actions follow President Tsai Inng-wan's delicate mission to strengthen Taiwan's diplomatic alliances in Central America and the United States. She wrapped up her trip to the United States with a meeting with House of Representatives Chairman Kevin McCarty, California. An American Congress delegation also met with Mrs. Tsai over the weekend in Taiwan after her return to the country.

China immediately responded to President Tsai's meeting with Mr. McCarty, imposing travel bans and financial sanctions on those who met with Taiwan's president in the United States and increased military activity around the island over the weekend.

Taiwan's military said China sent dozens of warplanes and 11 battleships to Taiwan under its military exercise that began Saturday.

Taiwan's capital residents, Taipei, said they are not afraid of the possibility of a military attack from China.

Most people probably don't fear because they think China won't start a fight against Taiwan. They don't need to start a war because they can use other methods to pressure Taiwan. Using military force in the eyes of other countries would not be viewed as a sign of a country's power. An attack by a powerful country on a small and weaker country can be seen as an act of intimidation”, Says former Taiwanese soldier Tang Pao-hsing.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wan denounced Chinese Army maneuvers, saying Taiwan will continue to work with the United States and other democracies, as the island faces “ongoing authoritarian expertise” of China.

US President Joe Biden has often said that the United States would defend Taiwan militarily if China attacked him, although Washington has confirmed that its policy of “One China” has not changed.

The policy of a “A China” acknowledges Beijing considers Taiwan part of China. The United States considers Taiwan's status unresolved and sends military aid to the self - governing island to help it defend itself.