By: Robert DoughertyThe People’s Republic of China and Australia will hold a new round of political consultation talks this week, coinciding with the end of significant Chinese combat readiness security patrols encircling Taiwan.
PRC Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu will visit officials in Australia and Fiji this week to extend dialogues between the foreign ministries of each country, according to a PRC press conference on 10 April.
Earlier this month, Chinese destroyers, frigates, and anti-ship missile ships, fighter jets, bombers, support aircraft, ballistic and cruise missile units and military personnel from the People’s Liberation Army conducted Joint Sword exercises under real-combat conditions around Taiwan from 8 to 10 April.
Military forces occupied large swathes of maritime areas and airspace in the Taiwan Straits, off the northern, southern coasts and the island’s east.
A number of simulated artillery and missile strikes against targets in Taiwan and surrounding waters were also reportedly carried out by PLA units, as well as “deterrence and suppression” activities.