Taiwan’s president thanks fighter pilots who fought against China’s ‘punishment’ exercises

- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te thanked the fighter pilots who fought against China last week during their war exercises on the island.
- China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan is its own territory, held military exercises across Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for Lai’s inauguration speech that week.
- Lai said pilots are on standby in 24-hour shifts to conduct air patrol missions.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te thanked fighter pilots who fought against China last week during their war exercises on the island, when he was briefed on developments at a frontline air base on Tuesday.
China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan is its own territory, began two days of exercises last Thursday in what it called “punishment” for Lai’s inauguration speech that week. Taiwan condemned the exercises.
China says Lai is a “separatist” and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide its future, and has repeatedly offered talks.
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Visiting Hualien Air Base on the east coast, which is home to Taiwan’s most advanced fighter jets, the F-16V, Lai had lunch with some of the pilots who participated during the exercises.
“I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters for sticking to their posts and protecting national security,” he added. “In the past few days, in response to the Chinese military exercises, everyone did a good job.”
Lai said he received a detailed report on the pilots’ response and the capabilities of Taiwan’s fighters.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits soldiers and air force personnel in Hualien, Taiwan, May 28, 2024. (Reuters/Ann Wang)
“Everyone is on standby in 24-hour shifts to carry out air patrol missions,” he added. “With firm determination and excellent combat skills, they are making full use of air combat power and protecting our airspace.”
The soldiers also demonstrated how to load and fire howitzers for Lai.
Some hangars at the Hualien base are dug into the side of a mountain to protect them from air attacks.
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Taiwan has been converting 141 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16A/B aircraft to the F-16V type, and has also ordered 66 aircraft with new avionics, weapons and radar systems to better confront the Chinese air force, including its J-stealth fighters. twenty.
The F-16Vs can also carry Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
Taiwan’s government says that because the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island, it has no right to claim it or decide its future.
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