As tensions between Beijing and Washington increase, China has intensified its military drills in Taiwan’s waterways and announced sanctions against Nancy Pelosi.
After her visit to Taiwan in which she was the first US House Speaker to that island for 25 years, the country’s foreign minister announced sanctions against Mrs. Pelosi today.
Beijing called the visit a “gross interferer” in its internal affairs. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to the military’s response as “flagrantly provocative”.
China places a ‘ring of iron’ around Taiwan – live updates
China conducted military drills in seven areas around the island as a result of Ms. Pelosi’s visit. More than 100 warplanes were present and 10 warships participated over the two-day period.
John Kirby, US national security spokesperson, stated that China’s ambassador was summoned to the White House in protest at the country’s military actions.
He said that the US doesn’t want to be in a crisis but it won’t be stopped from operating in the waters and skies of the western Pacific.
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Taiwan defends national security through ‘firm action’
Taiwan is worried about the military drills. China’s defense ministry warned Taiwan that it would defend its national security through “firm action”.
The Taiwan median line is a line that separates China from Taiwan and it was also mentioned.
Sean Bell, a retired air vice-marshall, described Beijing’s exercises in the same way as a “ring made of steel” around it.
He stated that any drills conducted in Taiwan’s territorial water could be “extremely provocative” should anything go wrong with live weapons being used near the island nation’s continental.
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Although Taiwan claims to be an independent democracy with its own leader and constitution, China regards Taiwan as a separatist province that will eventually fall under its control.
Military drills also disrupted shipping lanes around Taiwan, as well as airlines flying to and from Taiwan. Some have had to cancel and others reroute.
Both Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines announced that they cancelled Friday’s flights from Taipei due to the exercises. The Korean carrier also cancelled Saturday flights and delayed Sunday flights.
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 has images that show live flights which avoid the seven areas where military drills take place.
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