China launched its largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan on Thursday, as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid a day visit to the self-ruled island, infuriating Beijing.
Pelosi left Taiwan on Wednesday after a less-than-24-hour visit that defied Beijing’s increasingly stern threats. Beijing considers the island to be its territory.
The visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is second in line to the presidency, was the most high-profile elected US official to Taiwan in 25 years.
She stated that her presence made it “unambiguously clear” that the US would “not abandon” a democratic ally like Taiwan.
The Chinese military began the military drill on Thursday at noon (0400 GMT) with live-fire exercises in the sea surrounding Taiwan, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“From 12:00 pm today to 12:00 pm on (August) 7, an important military exercise of the People’s Liberation Army is taking place,” CCTV said, in a social media post that included a map of Taiwan.
Missiles To Fly Over Taiwan For The First Time
Beijing reacted angrily to Pelosi’s visit, threatening “punishment” for those who had offended it and announcing military drills in the seas surrounding Taiwan — some of the world’s busiest waterways.
The military exercises encircling Taiwan will include “training activities including live-fire drills,” according to a state media announcement.
They will take place in various zones encircling Taiwan, with some points as close as 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the island’s shore, and will end at midday on Sunday.
According to military analysts cited by the nationalist state-run tabloid the Global Times, the exercises would be “unprecedented,” with missiles flying over Taiwan for the first time.
The People’s Liberation Army, China’s military, will launch live long-range artillery across the Taiwan Strait for the first time, according to the newspaper.
Drills have been taking place since last Tuesday, with Beijing’s Xinhua news agency reporting that they have simulated a “joint blockade” of Taiwan.
Taiwan Military Says ‘Preparing for War’
Taiwan’s military said Thursday that its forces were closely monitoring Chinese military drills and that it was ready for conflict but would not seek it.
“The Ministry of National Defense emphasises that it will uphold the principle of preparing for war without seeking war, and with an attitude of not escalating conflict and causing disputes,” said Taipei’s defence ministry in a statement.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau warned ships to avoid the areas where the Chinese drills were taking place.
According to Taiwan’s cabinet, the drills will disrupt 18 international routes that pass through its flight information region (FIR).