TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Kuomintang (KMT) on Thursday (May 23) called for restraint from the People's Republic of China to avoid conflict in the Taiwan Strait and preserve the peace and development achieved between the two sides.
In a significant development following President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration on May 20, the Chinese Communist Party announced military exercises around Taiwan, escalating regional tensions.
Military Exercises Spark Concern
The KMT has urged the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to inform the public whether the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan's 12-nautical-mile territorial sea.
The party highlighted that the PLA's exercises' scope not only encircles Taiwan but also explicitly targets areas such as Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin, indicating a strong warning signal.
The KMT expects the MND to respond prudently to the PLA's military exercises and consider elevating combat readiness to ensure national security.
Calls for a Strategic Response
Amid increasing pressure from China, the KMT emphasized that the United States had hoped for no unusual actions from China after President Lai's inauguration. However, the Chinese Communist Party has intensified its pressure on Taiwan.
The KMT supports the government's efforts to defend the interests of the Republic of China and looks forward to effective measures from National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) to ensure the safety of the people of Taiwan.
The KMT's call for restraint and a strategic response underscores the delicate balance required to navigate the heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. As the situation develops, the actions of Taiwan's defense ministry and the international community's response will be closely watched.