The country’s State Department announced sanctions against Ms. Pelosi today after her visit to Taiwan, which marked the first trip by a US House speaker to the island in 25 years. Beijing described the visit as a “major interference” in its internal affairs, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called the military response to the trip “blatantly provocative”. China puts ‘ring of steel’ on Taiwan – live updates Image: The red boxes show where Chinese military exercises are taking place Ms Pelosi’s visit prompted China to hold military exercises in seven zones around the island, with more than 100 warplanes and 10 warships taking part in the past two days. US National Security Spokesman John Kirby said China’s ambassador had been summoned to the White House to file a protest against the country’s military actions. He added that while the US does not want a crisis, it will not be deterred from operating in the seas and skies of the western Pacific. Read more: Taiwan condemns ‘bad neighbor’ China Why Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan is so controversial Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:48 Tourists watch Chinese military exercises Taiwan to defend national security with ‘firm action’ The military exercises have caused concern in Taiwan, as the defense ministry has warned China that it will defend its national security with “vigorous action”. He added that China deliberately crossed Taiwan’s median line, which separates the self-governing island from China. Retired Air Force Vice President Sean Bell described the Beijing exercises as a “ring of steel” around the island. He said any drills in Taiwan’s territorial waters could be “extremely challenging” if something goes wrong due to the use of live weapons near the island nation’s mainland. Analysis from Sky News pundits:Adam Boulton: Rising rhetoric fueled by Pelosi’s visitDeborah Haynes: Pelosi’s visit may be useless and unnecessary Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 3:47 Tension over Taiwan continues While Taiwan declares itself an independent, democratic country with its own leader, constitution, political system and military, China sees it as a breakaway province that it will eventually bring back under its control — by force if necessary. The military exercises also caused disruptions to shipping lanes around Taiwan and airlines operating flights near and around the island, causing some to cancel and others to reroute. Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines said they canceled flights to and from Taipei on Friday because of the drills, with the Korean carrier also canceling Saturday flights and delaying Sunday flights. Images from flight tracking service FlightRadar24 show live flights avoiding the seven zones where military exercises are taking place.
