The exercises will include anti-submarine exercises, apparently aimed at supporting the US in Taiwan in the event of a possible Chinese invasion, according to social media posts by the eastern leadership of China’s ruling Communist Party’s military arm, the People’s Liberation Army. The military said the drills, which include missile strikes, warplanes and ship movements crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait that separates the sides, were a response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island last week . China has ignored calls to ease tensions and there was no immediate indication when it would end what amounts to a blockade. Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Sunday it had spotted a total of 66 aircraft and 14 warships carrying out the naval and air exercises. The island responded by putting its military on alert and deploying ships, planes and other means to track Chinese aircraft, ships and drones that “simulate attacks on the island of Taiwan and our ships at sea.”
Biden expresses concern
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reported that Taiwan’s military will hold live-fire artillery drills in southern Pingtung County on Tuesday and Thursday in response to the Chinese drills. The exercises will include snipers, combat vehicles and armored vehicles, as well as attack helicopters, the report said, citing an unnamed source. A Taiwanese military vessel patrols near the east coast on Sunday. Taiwan has accused the Chinese military of a simulated attack on its main island over the weekend. (Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images) The Biden administration and Pelosi say the US remains committed to a “one China” policy that extends formal diplomatic recognition to Beijing while allowing strong informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. However, the US has criticized Beijing’s actions in the Taiwan Strait. “I’m concerned that they’re moving no matter what,” Biden said of China’s actions on Monday as he spoke to reporters. “But I don’t think they’re going to do more than what they are.”
China responds to criticism
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary. The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war, but Beijing sees visits by foreign officials to Taiwan as recognition of its sovereignty. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on the international community to “support democratic Taiwan” and “stop any escalation of the regional security situation.” The Group of Seven industrialized nations also criticized China’s actions, prompting Beijing to cancel a meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi. ATTENTION l China criticizes G7 and EU countries for supporting Taiwan:
China condemns G7 states for statement on Taiwan
China condemned all G7 nations, including Canada, after the Group of Seven expressed concern over Beijing’s live-fire drills near Taiwan. China suspended defense and climate talks with the US and imposed sanctions on Pelosi in retaliation for her visit. In Washington, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador Bi-kim Hsiao said China had no reason to be “so furious” over Pelosi’s visit, which follows a long tradition of US lawmakers visiting Taiwan. “Well, you know, we’ve been living under the threat from China for decades,” Hsiao told CBS News on Sunday. “If you have a child who is being bullied at school, you don’t say you don’t go to school. You try to find a way to deal with the bully. “The risks are posed by Beijing,” Hsiao said. On a visit to Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Washington was “seizing the opportunity to step up its military deployment in the region, which deserves great vigilance and resolute boycott from all sides.” “China’s firm stance” is aimed at “ensuring peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability,” Wang was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for tensions to ease. “Australia continues to call for restraint, Australia continues to call for de-escalation. And this is not just something that Australia is asking for … the whole region is concerned about the current situation, the whole region is asking for stability to be restored,” the Wong told reporters in Canberra.
