China's Defense Ministry Calls Taiwan's Annual Joint Drills "Mere Bluster by Authorities"
On July 9, the Chinese government imposed export control measures on eight Taiwanese defense companies regarding "dual-use goods," which can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The announcement of these export controls coincided with the start of Taiwan's annual joint military drills, and is seen as a warning against Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated on this day, "To safeguard national security and interests and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, we have added eight companies from the Taiwan region to the export control list."
The sanctioned companies include Aerospace Industrial Development, GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (equivalent to South Korea's Agency for Defense Development), drone manufacturer JC Technology, CSBC, Jong Shyn, Lungteh, and Gong Wei.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said that these eight companies "have cooperated with the armed pursuit of independence by Taiwan separatist forces," and emphasized that "no exporter should violate the (export control) regulations."
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, which handles Taiwan-related matters in China, also stated, "(Taiwanese President) Lai Ching-te has persistently maintained a 'Taiwan independence' stance since taking office, seeking independence by relying on foreign powers and by force, and some companies in the Taiwan region have aided these misdeeds." He added, "Companies, organizations, and individuals who participate in or incite national division will be severely punished."
This action by the Chinese government came at the same time as the start of Taiwan's annual joint military exercise, the "Han Kuang 41 Exercise," which began on this day. This year's exercise is being conducted on the largest scale ever and will last for the longest period, nine nights and ten days. As a result, some interpret China's move as an attempt to check Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its military power. A senior Taiwanese defense official told the Associated Press that the purpose of this military exercise is to demonstrate to the international community Taiwan's firm resolve to defend itself.
At a briefing the previous day, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Bin criticized, "The Han Kuang exercise is nothing more than bluster by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities and a trick to deceive both themselves and others." He added, "They are tying ordinary people in Taiwan to the 'Taiwan independence' bandwagon, harming Taiwan for the private interests of a single party."
Spokesperson Zhang warned, "We caution the Democratic Progressive Party authorities: any attempt to seek independence by force will only lead down the path of death." He further stated, "No matter what they say or what weapons they use, they cannot block the sharp sword of the People's Liberation Army, which opposes independence, nor can they stop the historical trend that the motherland will inevitably be unified."
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