Chinese and Singaporean naval vessels participating in a joint exercise, as well as China's guided-missile destroyer Zhanjiang, were open to the public at a military port in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province on Saturday.
The "China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation 2024" joint maritime exercise is being held in waters and airspace near Zhanjiang City from Aug 30 to Sept 5. The participating forces include China's guided-missile frigate Sanya and minesweeper Hejian, and the Singaporean navy's frigate RSS Stalwart (72).
During the open event, sailors from both sides served as guides and interpreters, assisting visitors in boarding the ships and exploring the compartments, and providing detailed explanations about the vessels.
"I was amazed by the vessel Sanya. I have brought my children here to broaden their horizons, hoping that they could throw themselves into the motherland's defense building when they grow up," said Fang Changyong, a visitor.
Over the past few days, the two sides have hosted deck receptions, held cultural exchanges, barbecues, and sports events, and held discussions on naval mine countermeasures and underwater rescue.
Activities at the port will continue until Tuesday, after which the participating vessels will depart for joint naval exercises in waters near Zhanjiang.
The China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation 2024 is the first bilateral joint exercise held in China involving the two navies.
Chinese, Singaporean naval vessels open to public in Zhanjiang
Analysts have warned that the separatist statements made recently by leader of Taiwan region Lai Ching-te constitute a challenge to the bottom line and the red line of the mainland.
On Thursday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of China's Anti-Secession Law, Lai held a meeting in which he portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter the so-called threats facing the island.
"There is no doubt that the Lai Ching-te authorities' actions are an attempt to challenge the bottom line and the red line of the mainland, especially Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law. His actions are indeed extremely dangerous," said Zhang Hua, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"We must carefully analyze whether his actions have touched Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law, that is, 'the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The more rambunctious Lai Ching-te becomes, the faster we will see a solution of the Taiwan question and achieve unification," said Zhu Songling, a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing Union University.
Article 8 of the law states that the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted.
Analysts said Lai's separatist actions would push Taiwan closer to the brink of conflict.
His proposal to "reinstate military tribunals" is viewed as a strategic move to suppress political opponents on the island which further reveals his anxiety and insecurity, analysts said.
"Lai Ching-te's intensified incitement against the mainland cannot be ruled out as a strategic foreshadowing laid by him to suppress political dissidents on the island," said Chen Chao, deputy director of the Center for Taiwan Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
"Lai Ching-te is very anxious because his public support in the Taiwan region has continued to plunge. Polls conducted last month showed that public support for Lai was approaching a 'death cross' where the opposition outnumbers the support. So he resorted to provoking confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Zhang Hua said.
Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line
