“China has used the drills in its military play-book to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan. It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyberattacks, disinformation, and economic coercion, in an attempt to weaken public morale in Taiwan,” Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei.

“It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyberattacks, disinformation, and economic coercion, in an attempt to weaken public morale in Taiwan,” he emphasized.

Wu's statement came after the Taiwanese army held its own live-fire drill to simulate defending against an attack on the island.

“Although China seems to be targeting Taiwan now, its activities around the world have shown that its motivation is far beyond Taiwan. China is now determined to link the East and South China Seas through the Taiwan Strait so that this entire area becomes its internal waters,” he added.

After the visit of Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to Taiwan, the PRC commenced military exercises encircling Taiwan, which ran from 4 to 7 August 2022.

Additional "regular" exercises were announced, which are scheduled to run in the Yellow and Bohai Sea until August 15 and September 8, respectively. (ILKHA)