On April 1, the Chinese Armed Forces announced the start of new military, naval and missile exercises around Taiwan. The purpose of these maneuvers is «a stern warning and a powerful deterrent against Taiwan’s independence,» informs Reuters agency.
«The main focus of the exercises is on testing combat readiness at sea and in the air, seizing comprehensive control, striking sea and land targets, and establishing control over key areas and routes.», — said the command of the People’s Liberation Army of China.
In the accompanying videos, the President of Taiwan, Lai Chinte, was called a «parasite». In one of the videos, he was depicted as an animated bug being held on sticks over a burning Taiwan. In another, it is like a bug that spreads parasites all over the island.
«A parasite is poisoning the island of Taiwan. A parasite is ravaging the island. A parasite seeks final destruction», the animation says.
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said it had instructed its combat aircraft and navy and activated ground-based missile systems. Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Ku pointed out that such Chinese rhetoric is not conducive to peace and «shows their provocative nature.» According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces should focus on solving internal problems, including corruption, instead of undermining stability in the region.
