Published:
Oct 21, 2022 23:28 GMT
Part of the maneuvers, which will take place in November, will take place around the Japanese island closest to Taiwan.
In the context of the growth of Chinese military power in the Indo-Pacific region, the US and Japan will carry out joint aviation and naval exercises in the area, reported this Friday the Japanese Ministry of Defense, collects Reuters.
Under the name of Sharp Sword (Keen Sword, in English), the exercises will take place between November 10 and 19. About 36,000 soldiers, 30 warships and 370 military aircraft, both Japanese and American, will participate. In addition, Canada will send two warships, while Australia and the United Kingdom will each provide one ship. Part of the maneuvers will take place in Tokunoshima, the Japanese island that is closest to Taiwan.
As a declared main objective, the maneuvers seek to demonstrate Washington’s compliance with its obligations towards its allies in the Indo-Pacific. “By showing the strong will and coordination of Japan and the US, we aim to help defend our country and ensure peace and security in the region,” said Yasukazu Hamada, Japan’s defense minister.
The exercises will be held amid heightened concerns in the White House and the Pentagon about a possible forced reunification of Taiwan with mainland China. On October 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his country’s commitment to progress in the process of peaceful reunification with the island, although he did not completely rule out the possibility of the use of force.
For his part, Admiral Michael Gilday, head of US naval operations, said Wednesday that the possibility of Beijing launching a military operation to reincorporate Taiwan into its territory could be closer than calculated in some predictions. Washington previews.
