China Targets Taiwan in Major Military Exercise, Pentagon Condemns ‘Irresponsible’ Action

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | OCTOBER 14, 2024 | DZIRHAN MAHADZIR

[Retain Mike]

During the exercise, PLA Eastern Theater Command ordered 125 sorties by aircraft, helicopters and drones near the island, the Taiwan Ministry of Defense said on Monday. Ninety of the aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. Seventeen PLA Navy ships and 17 China Coast Guard ships operated around Taiwan, with some vessels approaching the island in close proximity.

Earlier on Sunday, the MND reported that PLAN ships, including carrier CNS Liaoning (16) sailed through the Bashi Channel, which lies between the Philippines’ Mavulis Island and Taiwan’s Orchid Island, to enter the Western Pacific. In Monday’s press conference, the MND issued a graphic of PLAN and CCG activities around Taiwan which showed that the Liaoning CSG comprised of a total of four ships divided into two groups which both were located southeast of Taiwan in the Philippine Sea.

Carrier Liaoning and cruiser CNS Anshan (103) were sailing 285 miles south of Yonaguni Island carried out fighter launches and recoveries, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force said on Monday. The release stated that JMSDF destroyer JS Kirisame (DD-104) shadowed the PLAN CSG and the Japan Air Self Defense Force scrambled fighter aircraft in response to the Liaoning’s launches of fighter aircraft.

Chinese military spokesperson Snr. Col. Wu Qian said that the purpose of the drill was to fight against Taiwan independence efforts.

“We want to use language that ‘Taiwan independence’ elements can understand to let them know that there is a sword hanging over their heads and that seeking ‘independence’ is a dead end,” Wu said.

The U.S. State Department stated that the United States is seriously concerned by the PLA drills.

“The PRC response with military provocations to a routine annual speech is unwarranted and risks escalation”.

[Retain Mike]

The Western Pacific has sure got a more interesting. Dodging the Chi Com and Taiwanese fishing fleets was about exciting as it got for our ship on the way to and from Vietnam, except for avoiding the carriers, escorts, and auxiliaries at Yankee Station. Here are the latest articles from the U. S. Naval Institute. Unless you are a member, you may not be able to look at all the links before they decide to exclude you.

[Frank Drebin]

Did the Pentagon send them a “strongly worded” TikTok with tranny dancers to get the message across?

[BobL]

“Pentagon Condemns ‘Irresponsible’ Action”

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.