The Chinese Communist Army conducted a so-called “combat readiness patrol” on September 2 in the vicinity of the Huangyan Island (referred to as the democratic reef by Taiwan) and surrounding waters and airspace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly condemned this action, stating that the CCP once again escalated tensions in the South China Sea and the region through unilateral provocations.
The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese Communist Army announced on social media on September 2 that they have initiated a combat readiness patrol in the waters and airspace around Huangyan Island, claiming that since August, the forces in the theater have continuously strengthened patrols and surveillance in the vicinity of the democratic reef.
In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stated that on September 2, the Chinese Communist Army conducted a so-called “combat readiness patrol” in the Huangyan Island and surrounding waters and airspace, attempting to disrupt the normal operations of other countries’ aircraft through dangerous flight maneuvers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China strongly condemned this unsafe, irresponsible, and highly provocative behavior by the CCP.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China consistently opposes any unilateral illegal actions in the South China Sea, intimidation in gray areas, military deployments, and other actions that undermine peace. It calls on China to abide by international law and principles of peaceful dispute resolution in response to the shared expectations of regional countries for peace and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stated, “Our country will continue to cooperate with like-minded countries and regional partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the free, open, peaceful, and stable international order.”