China Calls Military Exercises near Taiwan 'Combat Drills'
2021-04-15
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1China described its military exercises near the island of Taiwan as "combat drills" Wednesday.
2The military activity takes place as former U.S. officials arrive in Taipei to signal President Joe Biden's support for Taiwan's democracy.
3Taiwan has said that Chinese fighter jets and bombers have entered its air defense zone.
4A Chinese aircraft carrier has also been performing exercises near the island.
5Twenty-five Chinese air force planes, including fighters and bombers, entered Taiwan's air defense zone on Monday.
6It is the largest entry into areas controlled by Taiwan reported in recent years.
7Chinese spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said the military activity was necessary to answer Taiwan's independence efforts and "Taiwan-U.S. collusion."
8He said that Taiwan's government is working with "external forces."
9In the past, China has given little explanation for its military movements near Taiwan.
10Its defense ministry only called them "military activities" in January.
11China considers Taiwan a rebel territory although the two sides have had separate governments since 1949.
12The United States has not formally recognized Taiwan's government since 1979.
13However, the U.S. remains the island democracy's strongest ally. U.S. officials have been watching the growing tensions with China with concern.
14Former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd and former diplomats Richard Armitage and James Steinberg arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday.
15A Biden administration official called the visit a "personal signal" of the president's loyalty towards Taiwan and its democracy.
16It is not an official U.S. visit.
17The three men are meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday.
18Taiwan's presidential spokesman said the trip "again shows the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is rock solid, and is a full expression" of support for Taiwan in the United States."
19Tsai has said Taiwan is an independent country called the Republic of China.
20Mainland Chinese spokesman Ma said the meeting between Tsai and the former U.S. officials would make the situation worse.
21Ma said Chinese officials "oppose the U.S. playing the 'Taiwan card' and continuing to send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces."
22Ma also accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of seeking independence through military means.
23It will "only push Taiwan towards disaster," he said.
24I'm Jill Robbins.
1China described its military exercises near the island of Taiwan as "combat drills" Wednesday. The military activity takes place as former U.S. officials arrive in Taipei to signal President Joe Biden's support for Taiwan's democracy. 2Taiwan has said that Chinese fighter jets and bombers have entered its air defense zone. A Chinese aircraft carrier has also been performing exercises near the island. 3Twenty-five Chinese air force planes, including fighters and bombers, entered Taiwan's air defense zone on Monday. It is the largest entry into areas controlled by Taiwan reported in recent years. 4Chinese spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said the military activity was necessary to answer Taiwan's independence efforts and "Taiwan-U.S. collusion." He said that Taiwan's government is working with "external forces." 5In the past, China has given little explanation for its military movements near Taiwan. Its defense ministry only called them "military activities" in January. 6China considers Taiwan a rebel territory although the two sides have had separate governments since 1949. 7The United States has not formally recognized Taiwan's government since 1979. However, the U.S. remains the island democracy's strongest ally. U.S. officials have been watching the growing tensions with China with concern. 8Former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd and former diplomats Richard Armitage and James Steinberg arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday. A Biden administration official called the visit a "personal signal" of the president's loyalty towards Taiwan and its democracy. It is not an official U.S. visit. 9The three men are meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday. Taiwan's presidential spokesman said the trip "again shows the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is rock solid, and is a full expression" of support for Taiwan in the United States." 10Tsai has said Taiwan is an independent country called the Republic of China. 11Mainland Chinese spokesman Ma said the meeting between Tsai and the former U.S. officials would make the situation worse. 12Ma said Chinese officials "oppose the U.S. playing the 'Taiwan card' and continuing to send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces." 13Ma also accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of seeking independence through military means. 14It will "only push Taiwan towards disaster," he said. 15I'm Jill Robbins. 16Reuters reported this story. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 17___________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19zone -n. an area that is different from other areas for a special reason 20collusion-n. secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose 21external- n. coming from outside