TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) criticized China's live-fire military exercises on Tuesday (Oct. 22), claiming they disrupt regional peace and stability while causing unnecessary tension. His comments followed a navigation warning issued by China's Maritime Safety Administration (福建平潭海事局) on Monday. The warning announced live-fire drills near Pingtan's (平潭) Niushan Island (牛山島) a day later and prohibited vessel entry.
Speaking to the media before a Legislative Yuan (立法院) session, Cho emphasized Taiwan's alignment with global democratic allies, asserting that such actions threaten regional peace. He stated that exercises should not be conducted frequently and near Taiwan regardless of the scale. Such declarations are meaningless and only cause unnecessary tension.
He assured the public that MND is fully prepared to safeguard sovereignty and citizen safety, promising no unexpected incidents will occur.