China today, Thursday, launched its largest-ever military exercises near Taiwan, a show of force in vital international shipping lanes, following a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi departed Taiwan yesterday, Wednesday, after a trip that defied a series of intense threats from Beijing, which considers the self-ruled island its territory.
This is the first visit of a high-ranking US official to Taiwan in 25 years, during which she made it «unequivocally clear» that the United States «will not abandon» a democratic ally like Taiwan.
The visit provoked an angry reaction from Beijing, which vowed «punishment» and announced military exercises in the seas around Taiwan - some of the world's busiest waterways.
The exercises include live fire according to state media.
The exercises will take place in six zones around Taiwan - in some places just 20 kilometres from the island's coastline - and will end at noon on Sunday.
The #Chinese Army has begun its large-scale military exercise in six waters around #Taiwan. The exercise will take place from August 4 to 7. pic.twitter.com/iAPBxp9duA
- NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 4, 2022
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it is closely monitoring China's military exercises and that the island is prepared for conflict but will not seek it.
«The Ministry of National Defence stresses that it will maintain the principle of preparing for war without seeking war,» it said in a statement.
Beijing's nationalist state-run tabloid Global Times reported, citing military analysts, that these were «unprecedented» exercises and that missiles would be flown over Taiwan for the first time.
Taiwan has described the exercises as «an absurd move to challenge the international order».
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, in a post on Twitter, wrote:
«Taiwan is committed to defending our hard-won status quo and democracy. We will work with like-minded partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.».
«Preparing for a real battle»
Taipei issued warnings on Wednesday for ships to avoid areas used for Chinese military drills. Taiwan's cabinet said the drills would disrupt 18 international routes passing through its FIR.
Beijing defended its military operations as «necessary and just», blaming the escalation on the United States and its allies.
«In today's fight over Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the United States is the provocateur, China is the victim,» the State Department spokeswoman said at a regular briefing on Wednesday.
A Chinese military source also told Agence France-Presse that the exercises will be held «in preparation for the actual battle».
Video of PLA long range rockets firing from Fujian Pingtan into the Taiwan strait.#China #Taiwan #Pelosi pic.twitter.com/OYGHez1H3W
- Lasagna (@mmmmmlasagna) August 4, 2022
ASEAN: The possibility of open conflicts in the region is open
The situation in Taiwan could lead to «open hostilities», foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Phnom Penh warned today, expressing «concern» over the large-scale military exercises announced to be conducted around the island by China's military.
«ASEAN is concerned about international and regional instability, especially recent developments in the region that may lead to miscalculations, serious conflict, open conflicts with unforeseen consequences for the major powers,» the Association's diplomatic chiefs stressed in the joint statement released.
Cambodia, the country currently holding the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, called on all parties to choose to de-escalate tensions.
EU condemns China's «aggressive» drills around Taiwan
The European Union's diplomatic chief, Josep Borel, today condemned China's «aggressive activity» in the Taiwan Strait, saying there is «no excuse» for it and calling Beijing's visit to Taipei by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, a «pretext».
«It is normal and customary for our countries» parliamentarians to travel abroad," Borel added via Twitter from Phnom Penh on the sidelines of an ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting.
