Taiwan holds air defense drills ahead of leader's US stopover

Taiwan held an air defense drill on the morning of November 28, right before Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te's trip to the Pacific region, which is expected to include a stopover in the United States.

Taiwan's Air Self-Defense Force said aircraft, warships and missile systems participated in a comprehensive air defense battle plan exercise. The exercise was aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of air defense operations and testing the air defense force's response procedures.

Taiwanese soldiers prepare for a live-fire exercise in Pingtung, Taiwan on August 26, 2024.

Reuters quoted a statement from Taiwan's defense forces saying it was a regular exercise carried out quarterly.

The drills come as Taiwanese and regional security officials assess that China may conduct drills near the island in the coming days in response to Lai's trip to the Pacific and expected stopover in the United States.

According to Reuters citing informed sources, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te is expected to stop in the US as early as November 29 and begin his trip to destinations in the Pacific on November 30.

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Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te's office said on November 27 that if China used Lai's trip as an "excuse" to conduct military exercises, "it would be a clear provocation to the status quo of peace and stability in the region."

On the same day, the Chinese government said that transit points such as the Taiwan leader's itinerary "are essentially provocative acts that violate the One China principle."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dai-loan-to-chuc-tap-tran-phong-khong-truoc-luc-lanh-dao-du-qua-canh-tai-my-185241128110218621.htm