China continued its large-scale maneuvers around Taiwan on Saturday. Chinese military aircraft and warships continue to test Taiwanese troops. The day before alone, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Taipei had sent a “record” number of 68 military machines and 13 naval vessels to waters near the island’s democratic republic, as reported by the Taipei Foreign Ministry.
Many of them also crossed the unofficial but so far most respected median line in the 130-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait that separates the mainland and Taiwan. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jason Wu condemned “this dangerous military escalation of the military threat that is destroying peace and stability in the region”.
During the maneuvers on Thursday, China also launched 11 ballistic missiles toward Taiwan, one of which reportedly flew directly over Taiwan and not far from the capital Taipei for the first time. Five landed east of Taiwan in Japan’s nearby economic zone (EEZ), which was also interpreted as a warning to Tokyo to stay out of the conflict.
Anger at Pelosi visit
China had launched the maneuvers announced Sunday in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. It was the highest visit from the United States in a quarter of a century. China is angry because it claims Taiwan as its property. It sees the island as part of the People’s Republic and strongly rejects official contacts with other countries. However, the island has long seen itself as independent.
In further response, China has suspended dialogue with the US on climate protection and through various military channels. Other forms of cooperation, such as the fight against crime, drugs and the repatriation of people who have entered the country illegally, have also been completely stopped. In addition, Pelosi imposed unspecified sanctions on Pelosi and even immediate family members. The Chinese leadership accuses her of “serious interference in internal affairs”.
Taiwan shoots flares
Taiwan fired flares as a warning to Chinese drones flying over Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands, two kilometers off the coast of China. Other flares were used to warn unidentified aircraft over the Matsu Islands. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense in Taiwan on Saturday. Both Taiwanese archipelagos lie just off the coast of mainland China. The ministry said its troops were on high alert in both areas.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
