China has begun military exercises around Taiwan in response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit

The Chinese military began on Thursday, August 4, the most important military maneuvers in its history around Taiwan. A strong response to the island’s arrival Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, on the island. “Rehearsals Begin”, Chinese public broadcaster CCTV said in a message posted on the Weibo social network. Shortly after, the Chinese military fired unidentified projectiles from Pingtan Island toward the Taiwan Strait, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Nancy Pelosi, who left on Wednesday after a stay of less than twenty-four hours, insisted that the United States would not abandon the island, which is ruled by a democratic government and lives under constant threat of invasion by the Chinese military. “Those who offend China must inevitably be punished”From a distance, Wang Yi, head of Chinese diplomacy, responded.

According to a Chinese newspaper Global TimesCiting military analysts, the exercises are on a grand scale “unprecedented”. “This is the first time that the Chinese military has conducted live ammunition and long-range artillery strikes in the Taiwan Strait.”Emphasizing the daily is known for its nationalistic tone.

“An irrational act aimed at challenging the international order”

As a security measure, there is the China Maritime Safety Administration “forbidden” Vessels to enter the concerned areas. The drills will take place in various areas around Taiwan – sometimes as far as 20 kilometers off Taiwan’s coast – and last until noon on Sunday.

“If Taiwan forces voluntarily communicate [l’armée chinoise] And accidentally come to fire a shot, [l’armée chinoise] The Taiwan side will retaliate strongly and bear all the consequences.”An anonymous military source in the Chinese military told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Officials on the island have condemned the plan, recalling that it poses a threat to the security of East Asia. “China is encroaching on some strategic areas (…) “Taiwan’s Territorial Waters”Sun Li-fang, a spokesman for Taiwan’s defense ministry, condemned the attack “An irrational act aimed at challenging the international order”. “Ministry of National Defense insists it respects policy of preparing for war, not seeking war”The ministry responded in a press release.

For Beijing, these exercises – as well as others, which are more limited – have begun in recent days “Necessary and lawful action” After the visit of Mr^me Hair. “America is the instigator, China is the victim. China is on the defensive., Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying assured the press. The exercises aim to simulate a “siege” of the island and includes “Attacking targets at sea, attacking targets on land and control of airspace”The official news agency New China said.

EU condemns “aggressive” maneuvers

EU diplomatic chief Joseph Borrell condemned the military maneuvers on Thursday. “rude” Considering that there was China “Irrational” to use “as an excuse” US Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

“It is normal for MPs from our countries to travel internationally.”, he wrote on Twitter from Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

His ASEAN colleagues have warned that the situation around the Taiwan Strait could escalate “Open Conflicts”In a joint statement released soon.

“ASEAN is concerned about international and regional instability, especially recent developments in the immediate ASEAN region, which may lead to miscalculations, serious conflicts, open conflicts and adverse consequences. Unpredictability for major powers”They promised. “The world urgently needs the wisdom and responsibility of all leaders to preserve multilateralism. (…) and peaceful coexistence”They continued.

Chinese diplomatic chief Wang Yi is in Phnom Penh on Thursday, where he is scheduled to meet ASEAN representatives. His US counterpart, Anthony Blinken, also traveled to the Cambodian capital.

If the hypothesis of an invasion of Taiwan, home to 23 million people, is unlikely, it has increased since the election of current President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. M from independent party^me Unlike the previous government, Tsai refuses to recognize that the island and the mainland are a territory “A China”.