Following the visit of US lawmaker Nancy Pelosi, China has begun its largest-ever military drills in the waters around Taiwan.
The live fire drills started at noon local time (04:00 GMT) and were scheduled to occur in a number of locations within 12 miles of the island.
Taiwan said that China was attempting to alter the current situation in the area.
Ms Pelosi paid for a quick but divisive trip to Taiwan, which China views as a separatist province.
Although it has also restricted certain commerce with the island, Beijing’s major response has been the exercises.
Long-range live ammunition shooting will be a part of the exercises, which Beijing claims would take place in busy waterways.
While the US claimed the drills were reckless and may get out of hand, Taiwan claimed they amounted to a sea and air blockade.
The Taiwanese military would respond carefully, but Bonnie Lin, an analyst, told the BBC that there was still a chance of conflict.
“For instance, Taiwan may attempt to stop Chinese aircraft if they chose to fly over its airspace. And there may be a mid-air accident, a lot of other things could happen, “She stated.
On Wednesday, Taiwan claimed to have sent jets to warn off Chinese aeroplanes and to have used flares to chase away unknown aircraft over the nearby Kinmen islands.
The Taiwanese government said that many departments have recently been the target of cyberattacks.
Taiwan is talking with Japan and the Philippines to establish alternate aircraft routes, and it has also urged ships to use different routes.
In addition, Japan has raised worry to China on the military exercises’ coverage of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese government, responded by stating that Beijing does not recognise the “so-called” Japan EEZ.
According to local media sources, China seized an alleged Taiwanese separatist on Wednesday in the coastal province of Zhejiang on suspicion of damaging national security.
Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France, said on French television that Beijing will prioritise “re-education” after “reunification” with Taiwan. Taiwan is talking with Japan and the Philippines to establish alternate aircraft routes, and it has also urged ships to use different routes.
In addition, Japan has raised worry to China on the military exercises’ coverage of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese government, responded by stating that Beijing does not recognise the “so-called” Japan EEZ.
According to local media sources, China seized an alleged Taiwanese separatist on Wednesday in the coastal province of Zhejiang on suspicion of damaging national security.
Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France, said on French television that Beijing will prioritise “re-education” after “reunification” with Taiwan.
The Unexpected Drills
It’s concerning that six sizable exclusion zones will be announced around the island. In 1996, the last time there was a “Taiwan Straits Crisis,” Beijing took the same action. The exclusion zones, however, were all located beyond Taiwan’s territorial seas at that point.
Three of the six zones this time around cross Taiwan’s 12-mile boundary. That is unheard of. The action, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry, amounts to an air and sea blockade of the island and violates UN agreements.
It would be an invasion of Taiwan territory if China sent ships or planes into such regions. Due to the increased stakes, Taiwan could feel obligated to protect its own seas.
The USS Ronald Reagan carrier battle group is already steaming close by in the Philippine Sea as the US Navy keeps a careful eye on all that is happening.
Taiwan places Xi Jinping squarely in the driver’s seat.
Wang Yi, the foreign minister of China, accused the US of “violating China’s sovereignty under the pretence of so-called democracy,” adding that those who play with fire would suffer the consequences of their actions.
China cannot “block international leaders or anybody from travelling to Taiwan to pay homage to its flourishing democracy, to highlight its many triumphs, and to reiterate our commitment to continuous partnership,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement following the visit.
Ms Pelosi left Taiwan and travelled to South Korea, where she met Kim Jin-pyo, her counterpart. She is scheduled to go to the US-led UN command and North Korea-patrolled Joint Security Area close to the border between the two Koreas.
With its Taiwan policy, the US straddles a delicate diplomatic line. It adheres to the “One China” policy, which recognises only one Chinese government and establishes diplomatic connections with Beijing rather than Taiwan.
On the other hand, it keeps up a “strong unofficial” connection with the island, selling Taiwan defence equipment.
