China has undertaken major military drills in close proximity to Taiwan after key US politician Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island.
Taiwan claims that China launched 11 ballistic missiles into the ocean off the coasts of its north and south-western islands. After learning that five Chinese missiles had also touched down in its waters, Japan ordered an “immediate halt” to the exercises.
China perceived Mrs. Pelosi’s visit as a challenge to its assertions of Taiwanese sovereignty. It sees the Island as a secessionist province that will eventually submit to its rule—if necessary, by force.
The US does not legally recognize Taiwan, which has been practically autonomous since 1950. As part of that relationship, Washington still maintains a tight relationship with the island, and as part of that relationship, it sells Taiwan weapons so that it can defend itself.
According to the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, the exercises gave special attention to combined blockade, marine target assault, strike on ground targets, and airspace control operations.
The US House Speaker’s brief visit to Taiwan on Wednesday, which Mr. Wang Yi described as “manic, irresponsible, and irrational,” heightened tensions. She is the highest-ranking US official to visit the island in the last 25 years.
China responded by launching an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles and engaging in military drills off the coast of Taiwan.
Taiwan has reportedly activated its defense systems and is monitoring the situation, according to the defense ministry. Taiwan’s foreign ministry accused China of “following the example of North Korea in purposely firing missiles into waters near other states” in its complaint.
North Korea, a steadfast ally of China, has been accused of raising tensions in the region by carrying out many missile tests recently.
The Chinese missile launches on Thursday were sharply condemned by Japan.
China’s missile launches are interfering with flights to and from Taiwan as well as shipping routes.
Ships have been forced to alter their course, and days-long delays are likely to affect supply networks and cause delays in international trade. Over 50 international flights have been canceled at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport.
Following the escalation of hostilities, the US Navy declared that the navy carrier USS Ronald Reagan was en route to the region of the ocean that includes the waters south-east of Taiwan.
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According to a US Navy spokesman, the USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are now conducting operations in the Philippine Sea as part of their routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
A US aircraft that can track ballistic missiles in flight has also taken off from Japan and is heading in the general direction of Taiwan.
The fundamentals of China and Taiwan
- Why are ties between China and Taiwan so strained? The independent island is thought to be a portion of Chinese territory, and China contends that it should be connected with the mainland, possibly by force.
- Who is the authority in Taiwan? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and an armed force with about 300,000 active members.
- Who acknowledges Taiwan? Few countries recognize Taiwan. Instead, Beijing is where most people first become familiar with the Chinese government. Despite not having diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the US is obligated by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
