‘Parasite’: Beijing fury as warships mass

News.com.au - 01/04
China on Tuesday sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing said were aimed at practising for “precision strikes” and a blockade of the self-ruled island.

China on Tuesday sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing said were aimed at practising for “precision strikes” and a blockade of the self-ruled island.

It also characterised Taiwan’s leader as a “parasite” intent on the country’s “destruction”.

Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world’s “biggest troublemaker”.

The drills come after US defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday in Japan that the United States would ensure “credible deterrence” across the Taiwan Strait.

China opposes US support for Taiwan, which Beijing insists is part of its territory despite the Communists Party never ruling the island, and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control.

Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of soverei...
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