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China begins military drills near Taiwan on ‘high alert’

China launched military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in what it called a ‘stern warning’ to the autonomous island’s government after the meeting between its President and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said in a statement that the three-day operation, dubbed “United Sharp Sword,” will continue until Monday.

PLA spokesman Shi Yin said it would take place “in the waters and airspace of the Taiwan Strait, off the north and south coasts of the island and east of the island,” according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Taiwan Navy warship
Two Taiwan Navy warships are seen anchored in Keelung, Taiwan, April 7, 2023.

Getty Images


china on thursday Started deploying warships per Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, three Chinese warships have sailed in waters around Taiwan in the past 24 hours.

The exercises will also include a live-fire drill off China’s Fujian province, which faces Taiwan, on Monday, the local maritime authority said in a statement.

The exercise came after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California, angering Beijing.

President Tsai immediately condemned Saturday’s drills and pledged to cooperate with “the United States and other like-minded countries” in the face of “continued authoritarian expansionism”.

In Washington, a State Department spokesperson said the United States had “consistently urged restraint and called for the status quo to remain unchanged,” but said it would not provide sufficient resources to meet its security commitments in Asia. said to have.

The United States has been ambivalent about whether it will defend Taiwan militarily, but for decades it has sold arms to Taiwan to ensure self-defense.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has released videos of soldiers loading anti-aircraft missile launchers, fighter planes taking off and other military preparation exercises. The footage included surveillance of China’s Shandong aircraft carrier, which sailed in waters south of Taiwan earlier this week.

The 75-second video, which includes English subtitles, concludes with the caption, “We are not seeking escalation or disputes, but we will be firm, reasonable, and serious, defending our territory and sovereignty.” It’s closed.

Taiwan’s defense ministry on Saturday lashed out at the drills announced by the Chinese government, saying they threatened regional stability.

China is using Tsai’s visit to the United States as “an excuse to conduct military exercises that seriously undermine regional peace, stability and security,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said: headed the House delegation He will visit Taiwan to meet with Taiwanese business leaders and senior government officials to “discuss how the United States can strengthen its economic and defense ties with Taiwan in the face of growing threats in the region,” his office said. .

China views democratic and autonomous Taiwan as part of its own territory and promises to one day seize it by force if necessary.

“These operations serve as a stark warning against the collusion between separatist forces and outside forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and their provocative activities,” said Shi of the PLA. “This operation is necessary to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The exercise also took place after French President Emmanuel Macron and EU President Ursula von der Leyen left Beijing, with a call to China to urge President Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine. was staying in

After McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan last August, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets around Taiwan in its biggest act of force in years.

McCarthy originally planned to go to Taiwan himself. His decision to meet in California instead was seen as a compromise to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing, although he would emphasize his support for Taiwan.

Pingtan, an island in southwestern China that is the closest point in mainland China to Taiwan, showed no immediate signs of increased military activity.

A handful of cargo ships sailed through the waters near the coastline, and tourists in sunglasses and baseball caps were taking selfies at the observatory.

But Fujian maritime authorities have warned ships not to enter waters near live-fire exercises on Monday.

Tsai returned to Taiwan on Friday after visiting the island’s dwindling Latin American official diplomatic allies on two stopovers to the United States, including meetings with McCarthy and other lawmakers.

“We have shown the international community that Taiwan is more united when faced with pressure and threats,” she told reporters, adding that her visit was a success, adding, “We will never oppress.” We will not give in,” he added.

Hours before Wednesday’s meeting with McCarthy, China passed a Shandong aircraft carrier through waters southeast of Taiwan and into the western Pacific.

Beijing said on Friday that “Taiwan is an integral part of China” after repeatedly warning against the Tsai-McCarthy meeting.

“China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will never be divided,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a regular news conference.

“Taiwan’s future lies in reunification with the motherland.”

Summarize this content to 100 words

China launched military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in what it called a ‘stern warning’ to the autonomous island’s government after the meeting between its President and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said in a statement that the three-day operation, dubbed “United Sharp Sword,” will continue until Monday. PLA spokesman Shi Yin said it would take place “in the waters and airspace of the Taiwan Strait, off the north and south coasts of the island and east of the island,” according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Two Taiwan Navy warships are seen anchored in Keelung, Taiwan, April 7, 2023.

Getty Images

china on thursday Started deploying warships per Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, three Chinese warships have sailed in waters around Taiwan in the past 24 hours.

The exercises will also include a live-fire drill off China’s Fujian province, which faces Taiwan, on Monday, the local maritime authority said in a statement. The exercise came after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California, angering Beijing.

President Tsai immediately condemned Saturday’s drills and pledged to cooperate with “the United States and other like-minded countries” in the face of “continued authoritarian expansionism”.In Washington, a State Department spokesperson said the United States had “consistently urged restraint and called for the status quo to remain unchanged,” but said it would not provide sufficient resources to meet its security commitments in Asia. said to have.The United States has been ambivalent about whether it will defend Taiwan militarily, but for decades it has sold arms to Taiwan to ensure self-defense. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has released videos of soldiers loading anti-aircraft missile launchers, fighter planes taking off and other military preparation exercises. The footage included surveillance of China’s Shandong aircraft carrier, which sailed in waters south of Taiwan earlier this week.

The 75-second video, which includes English subtitles, concludes with the caption, “We are not seeking escalation or disputes, but we will be firm, reasonable, and serious, defending our territory and sovereignty.” It’s closed.Taiwan’s defense ministry on Saturday lashed out at the drills announced by the Chinese government, saying they threatened regional stability.China is using Tsai’s visit to the United States as “an excuse to conduct military exercises that seriously undermine regional peace, stability and security,” the ministry said.Meanwhile, on Thursday, Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said: headed the House delegation He will visit Taiwan to meet with Taiwanese business leaders and senior government officials to “discuss how the United States can strengthen its economic and defense ties with Taiwan in the face of growing threats in the region,” his office said. . China views democratic and autonomous Taiwan as part of its own territory and promises to one day seize it by force if necessary. “These operations serve as a stark warning against the collusion between separatist forces and outside forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and their provocative activities,” said Shi of the PLA. “This operation is necessary to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”The exercise also took place after French President Emmanuel Macron and EU President Ursula von der Leyen left Beijing, with a call to China to urge President Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine. was staying in

After McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan last August, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets around Taiwan in its biggest act of force in years. McCarthy originally planned to go to Taiwan himself. His decision to meet in California instead was seen as a compromise to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing, although he would emphasize his support for Taiwan. Pingtan, an island in southwestern China that is the closest point in mainland China to Taiwan, showed no immediate signs of increased military activity. A handful of cargo ships sailed through the waters near the coastline, and tourists in sunglasses and baseball caps were taking selfies at the observatory. But Fujian maritime authorities have warned ships not to enter waters near live-fire exercises on Monday. Tsai returned to Taiwan on Friday after visiting the island’s dwindling Latin American official diplomatic allies on two stopovers to the United States, including meetings with McCarthy and other lawmakers. “We have shown the international community that Taiwan is more united when faced with pressure and threats,” she told reporters, adding that her visit was a success, adding, “We will never oppress.” We will not give in,” he added.

Hours before Wednesday’s meeting with McCarthy, China passed a Shandong aircraft carrier through waters southeast of Taiwan and into the western Pacific. Beijing said on Friday that “Taiwan is an integral part of China” after repeatedly warning against the Tsai-McCarthy meeting. “China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will never be divided,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a regular news conference. “Taiwan’s future lies in reunification with the motherland.”

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-taiwan-military-drills-tsai-ing-wen-kevin-mccarthy/ China begins military drills near Taiwan on ‘high alert’

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