Taiwan says Chinese ships have left, signaling drills over

A Taiwanese coast guard ship (L) sails near a Chinese vessel a few nautical miles from Taiwan's northeastern coast —TAIWAN COAST GUARD/AFP

TAIPEI—Chinese navy and coast guard ships have returned to China, signaling the end of a massive maritime exercise, Taiwanese authorities said Friday.

Taiwan’s coast guard released images it said showed Chinese coast guard vessels sailing north in rough seas past the island on Thursday, on their way to China.

About 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in the exercises, which included simulating attacks on foreign ships and practicing blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said Wednesday.

China’s defense ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial of any drills but quoted from ancient Chinese military tactician Sun Tzu.

“Just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions,” the ministry said, an expression of Sun’s that means war conditions are unpredictable and constantly in flux.

AFP

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