BEIJING: China insisted its military exercises around the Taiwan Strait were “necessary and just” in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island.
“The Chinese military’s conducting of military exercises in the sea near China’s Taiwan are a necessary and just measure to resolutely protect national sovereignty,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a briefing.
“In the current struggle surrounding Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, the United States are the provocateurs, China is the victim.
The joint provocation by the US and Taiwan came first, China’s just defence came after,” she added.
China’s leaders have expressed fury at Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, painting it as threatening the fragile cross-strait status quo.
In response, China has announced a series of live-fire military exercises around Taiwan, with the Eastern Theatre Command saying “joint naval and air exercises will be conducted in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern sea and airspaces” of the island.
It is also set today to begin further live-fire military drills in zones encircling Taiwan – at some points within just 20km of the shore.
The drills will include “long-range live ammunition shooting” in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the island from mainland China and straddles vital shipping lanes.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meeting leaders of Taiwan despite warnings from China, said yesterday that she and other members of Congress in a visiting delegation are showing they will not abandon their commitment to the self-governing island.
She had left Taiwan after the visit that heightened tensions with China.
“Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
“America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad.”
Tsai responded firmly to Beijing’s military intimidation.
“Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down,” Tsai said. — Agencies