Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country’s armed forces to step up training for “real combat”, amid tensions over Taiwan and after three days of military exercises to put pressure on the island.
China regards Taiwan as a province that has not succeeded in reunifying it with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
Beijing viewed last week’s meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Kevin McCarthy, the third figure in the US government, as a provocation.
In response, the Chinese military conducted military exercises to put pressure on Taiwan.
Warships, fast missile launchers and combat aircraft were specially mobilized for the exercise, which ended on Monday.
Chinese state television channel CCTV reported Xi Jinping’s first remarks since the military exercises on Wednesday.
The Chinese leader stressed that the military should “firmly defend our territorial sovereignty as well as our maritime rights and China’s interests, and maintain the overall stability of our neighborhood.”
Xi Jinping made the remarks, which did not explicitly mention Taiwan, on Tuesday during a visit to a naval base in southern China.
The leader called on the country’s armed forces to “strengthen military training in real combat,” according to CCTV.
Peace is in danger
China looks with displeasure at the rapprochement that has occurred in recent years between the Taiwanese authorities and the United States, which, despite the absence of official relations, provides the island with significant military support.
Last summer, China engaged in unprecedented military exercises around Taiwan and fired missiles in retaliation for a visit to the island by Nancy Pelosi, then the McCarthy home.
Xi Jinping made the remarks on Tuesday, the day the United States and the Philippines began the largest joint military exercises in their history.
The two historical allies seek through these exercises to enhance coordination between them to counter China’s influence in the region.
The proximity of the Philippines to Taiwan may make it a key partner in the event of a Chinese invasion of the democratic island.
The Philippines earlier this month announced the location of four new military bases that could be used by the United States, including one near the disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan.
China criticized the agreement, which it said would “endanger regional peace and stability”.
