Ahead of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China has begun military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
Also the aircraft carrier USS Roland Reagan sailed near the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea near Chinese warships with the Chinese navy reportedly monitoring the US warship’s activities.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that it has vowed to take by force if necessary.
China’s move comes hours after President Joe Biden spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday warning him about Taiwan. The Chinese exercises are to be held 120 kilometers off the coast of Taiwan.
Taiwan earlier held a military exercise involving all branches of the military with simulated attacks to deter enemy attacks, as the military said it learned lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who has consistently pushed back against China, presided over the annual “Han Kuang” exercises. Taiwan used twenty warships, including US-made destroyers and F-16 fighter jets during the five-day exercise.
▪ Very tough statements from China continue to be made ahead of US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
▪ The Chinese military conducts missions in areas near Taiwan
