The defence ministry stated that Chinese military exercises have been conducted near Taiwan and have resulted in a blockade of Taiwan’s sea and air spaces.

The Chinese navy and air force exercises are seen as a response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the highest ranking American politician in 25 years.

According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, China has violated UN rules. Taiwan will counter any incursions into their territory.

It stated that live-fire exercises conducted in the air and sea around Taiwan “endangered international shipping lanes, challenged the international order, undermining status quo in Taiwan Strait and endangering this area.”

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It accused Beijing of psychological warfare and urged people to report fake news to the authorities.

Ms. Pelosi had previously praised Taiwan as “one of the most free societies in the world” when she addressed Taiwan’s parliament during her visit to China.

“Today, the world faces the choice between democracy or autocracy,” she stated in a brief speech at a meeting with Taiwan President TsaiIng-wen in Taipei.

“America’s resolve to preserve democracy here in Taiwan and throughout the world remains unshaken.”

Ms. Tsai thanked Ms. Pelosi for the concrete actions she took to support Taiwan, and stated that Taiwan will not be intimidated by heightened military threats.

Ms. Pelosi was also told by the Taiwanese leader that she is one the island’s most loyal friends, and they thanked her for her support on the international stage.

Ms. Tsai stated that Taiwan is a reliable American partner and would continue to work with them in strengthening their collaboration in security, economic growth and supply chains.

China has reacted strongly to the unannounced US House Speaker’s visit to Taiwan. Beijing summoned the US Ambassador.

Ms. Pelosi arrived in Taipei on Tuesday night on an unannounced, but closely monitored trip. She stated that this shows the unwavering US commitment towards the island that Beijing claims is its.

Ms. Pelosi said that Taiwan is one of the most free societies in the world.

She stated that new US legislation, which aims to strengthen the American chip industry in order to compete with China, “offers greater opportunities for US-Taiwaneconomic cooperation”.

Pelosi, a long-standing critic of China, is expected to meet with a former Tiananmen square activist, a Hong Kong bookeller detained by China and a Taiwanese activist who was recently released by China.

Ms. Pelosi isn’t the first speaker of the house to visit Taiwan. Newt Gingrich did so in 1997. Her visit coincides with a sharp decline in relations between Beijing, Washington, and China, which has become a more powerful, militarily and economically, than it was 25 years ago.

China considers Taiwan part its territory. It opposes any engagement of Taiwanese officials and foreign governments. China has never stopped using force to control Taiwan.

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China warns the US that ‘those who play with fire will be burned’, Nancy Pelosi visits a self-rule island

The United States warned China not to use Ms. Pelosi’s visit for political reasons and threatens military action against Taiwan.

Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters Wednesday that military drills were legal and intended to deter Taiwan.

China’s customs agency announced earlier that it would suspend imports from Taiwan of chilled white-striped hairtail, citrus fruits, and frozen horse mackerel.

One of Beijing’s most senior diplomats warned the United States Tuesday that it was performing a “highly risky trick” over Taiwan.

Zheng Zeguang made these comments at a press conference that was quickly called to address Ms Pelosi’s arrival in Taiwan, in defiance to Chinese demands to remain away.

He said the visit “seriously violated” a long-standing “one China” principle that means democratically-governed Taiwan must not be treated by the United States as an independent authority.

Zheng had also warned the UK against “dancing to the tune” in the United States.