China is flexing its muscles around Taiwan, an island it considers an integral part of its territory.
The Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army launched joint air and sea patrols and navy and air force exercises around the island today, and Taipei reported as many as 42 incursions into its air defense space in just a few hours.
In the waters between China and Taiwan they also cross some Chinese ships and the tension remains very high.
The Taipei Defense Ministry reacted to Beijing's grand maneuvers, which in a statement "firmly" condemns a behavior it defines as "irrational and provocative". The Taipei authorities also say they are ready to take "adequate" countermeasures with the aim of "defending the freedom, democracy and sovereignty of Taiwan".
Taipei Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said: "The People's Republic of China wants to influence the upcoming national elections in Taiwan. It's up to our citizens to decide, not our tyrannical neighbor."
(Unioneonline/lf)