China Conducts Military Drills Near Taiwan During Olympic Period

US-Japan Noble Fusion Training Countermeasure... Intensive Field Training in Taiwan Strait
China Expresses Discontent Over Tensions During Beijing Olympics Through US, Japan, NATO

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted large-scale military exercises in three maritime areas near Taiwan during the '2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.'

Photo by Chinese Military Website Capture

On the 11th, according to Chinese media including China Central Television (CCTV), the Chinese military held large-scale live-fire drills in three areas including the East China Sea and the South China Sea as a countermeasure against the US and Japan's 'Noble Fusion 2022' exercises.

The US Indo-Pacific Command conducted the joint command post exercise 'Keen Edge 2022' from last month 26th to this month 3rd, followed by joint exercises with Japan from the 1st to the 7th of this month in the waters off Okinawa, the Miyako Strait, and the Luzon Strait.

Global Times, citing the US Washington Post, reported that 15,000 US Marines including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and 1,000 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel conducted provocative exercises in the East China Sea and South China Sea. It also explained that the Noble Fusion exercises were held in the waters east of Taiwan Island, describing the area as very sensitive.

Global Times stated that during the Olympic period, a symbol of peace, the US and Japan conducted joint military exercises threatening China, and that this exercise carries a strong warning message to the US and Japan. It added that the latest Chinese warships including 052C and 052D destroyers, 054A frigates, Type 903 replenishment ships, and hospital ships participated in the Chinese military exercises.

Additionally, the Chinese Air Force participated in the exercises with two J-16 fighter jets, Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, and Y-8 technical reconnaissance aircraft, conducting reconnaissance flights in the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said, "The US is provoking tensions during the Olympic period, which should be a time of peace," and added, "The US-Japan military exercises near Taiwan threaten China's security." He also noted that the US is creating tensions by gathering NATO allies in Europe.