[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yujin] China's state-run media mocked Taiwan's annual military exercises as merely a show that tires out pilots by deploying outdated fighter jets.
On the 19th, China's state-run Global Times cited military experts, claiming that these military exercises would not be able to close the severe military gap with China.
Taiwanese media, citing sources, reported that the annual Tianlong exercises, involving F-16V fighters, Mirage-2000 fighters, and IDF jets, began yesterday and will continue until the 29th.
Chinese military expert Pu Chensao said, "Most of the fighters participating in the exercises are lightweight and have similar functions," adding, "The technology used in these fighters cannot match China's advanced stealth fighters."
He continued, "Taiwan fantasizes about using such weapons against the mainland," emphasizing, "The quality of equipment and weapons of China's army, navy, and air force far surpasses Taiwan's, and their combat capabilities are continuously improving."
Pu Chensao ridiculed Taiwan's exercises, saying they tire out pilots and cause significant damage to outdated fighters.
He questioned, "How effective can training be when Taiwan's military personnel are excessively fatigued?" and said, "If the power imbalance grows and forceful unification proceeds, Taiwan will not be able to resist the mainland. These exercises are merely for show."
Earlier, Taiwanese media such as Apple Daily and United Daily News reported that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense's own 'wargame (computer simulation)' showed results where Taiwan's military defeated the Chinese military.
According to reports, during the command post exercise (CPX) wargame conducted in April as part of the 'Han Kuang' exercises, Taiwan's military sank Chinese landing ships and annihilated ground forces, preventing the Chinese military's landing on Taiwan.
Taiwanese media reported that despite the power gap, Taiwan's military was able to win thanks to tactics and missile interception systems.
This military exercise comes about two weeks after dozens of Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) earlier this year. At that time, a total of 38 aircraft, including 28 Chinese J-16 fighters, 4 Sukhoi-30s, 4 Hong(H)-6 bombers, one Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and one KJ-500 early warning aircraft, intruded into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ.
Taiwanese media reported that this military exercise is intended to defend Taiwan's southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone.
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