Su Tseng-chang told reporters in the capital Taipei that he believed China was arbitrarily destroying the Taiwan Strait – the world’s most frequently used waterway – with its military exercises and its actions were condemned by other neighboring countries and the wider world . Image: Taiwan’s Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang. Photo: AP Beijing admits there were real shots but that they were “precision missile strikes” as part of exercises by its navy, air force and other parts in six zones surrounding the island. Expert says ‘this is how it starts’ and predicts possible invasion – live updates Japan says it was forced to protest to China after five of the missiles landed in its Exclusive Economic Zone. The drills were prompted by a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week and are intended to demonstrate China’s response to the self-ruled island’s moves to establish its de facto independence from Chinese rule. Taiwan has put its military on alert and organized civil defense exercises, while the US has numerous naval bases in the region. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:46 Missiles fired from Chinese coast Read more: Analysis – Adam Boulton on the growing rhetoric fueled by Nancy Pelosi’s visit In a speech in Tokyo after her trip to Taiwan, Ms Pelosi said China would not isolate Taiwan by preventing US officials from traveling there and that America’s commitment to democracy in Taiwan “remains ironclad”. Her decision to become the most senior American politician to travel to Taiwan since the 1990s has angered China – and has also attracted some criticism closer to home. US President Joe Biden advised against travel, while US allies in the Asia-Pacific region were quick to praise her 24-hour flight as part of a regional tour. While in Tokyo, Ms. Pelosi addressed the diplomatic firestorm the visit – with five members of the US Congress – to Taipei. Image: Nancy Pelosi and congressional delegation attend a news conference in Tokyo “We have said from the beginning that our representation here is not about changing the status quo in Taiwan or the region,” he said. Image: A screen in a shopping mall shows a news broadcast, showing locations around Taiwan where the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is conducting military exercises Beijing has warned that the visit will undermine China-US relations, and the State Department said it seriously violates China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement issued shortly after her arrival in Taipei, China’s foreign ministry said it had lodged strong protests with the US. Read more: Badly timed visit to Taiwan could lead US and China to ease into a crisis An island of 23 million people 112 miles off the coast of China, Taiwan declares itself an independent, democratic country with its own leader, constitution, political system and military. But with territorial claims to the island dating back to 229 AD, the Communist Party in Beijing sees it as a breakaway province of China that it will eventually bring back under its control – by force if necessary. This is known as the One China principle – a diplomatic acknowledgment that Beijing is the sole legitimate sovereign power in China. Technically, the US subscribes to a version of this – the One China policy – and therefore does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, according to the United Nations. However, he still maintains informal ties and defends the island’s commitment to democracy.
