New Europe
Date: April 24, 2020
By: Elena Pavlovska
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (C) walks during her visit inside a military base amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Tainan, Taiwan, 09 April 2020. Medical experts are rushing to develop a vaccine for the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and advising people to practice social distancing and proper hygiene.
EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO
China has long held military drills in Taiwanese territorial waters and airspace. However this month, the People’s Liberation Army Airforce conducted a 36-hour endurance exercise.
Relations between Taiwan and China have been on the decline since 2016 when Tsai, who has taken a more pro-Taiwan stance than her main competitor, was first elected president.
Taiwan has earlier blamed China for stepping up its drills near to the island, instead of focusing its efforts on combating the spread of the coronavirus. [FULL STORY]
