Distant actions: Tourists watching smoke trails from projectiles launched by the Chinese military from Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest points from Taiwan, in Fujian province. — AFP
TAIWAN cancelled airline flights as the Chinese navy fired artillery near the island in retaliation for a top American lawmaker’s visit, but the impact on shipments of processor chips and other goods needed by global industries was unclear.
China ordered ships and planes to avoid the military drills encircling the self-ruled island, which the mainland’s ruling Communist Party claims as part of its territory.
Hong Kong newspaper The South China Morning Post called the drills an “effective Taiwan blockade”.
Beijing announced “live-fire exercises” after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived on Tuesday for a one-day visit, defying warnings from Beijing.
It also banned imports of hundreds of Taiwanese food items.
The two sides, which split in 1949 after a civil war, have no official ties but one of the world’s busiest technology and manufacturing relationships.
Yesterday, at least 40 flights to and from Taiwan were cancelled, according to the China Times newspaper. It cited Taoyuan Airport in the capital Taipei as saying cancellations were “not necessarily” related to the military drills.
There was no immediate indication of the possible impact on shipping, which has the potential to jolt the global economy. — AP
