China has resumed military exercises near Taiwan
The Chinese Armed Forces began conducting exercises at sea and in the airspace around the island of Taiwan today, August 15. This was stated in a message posted on the official WeChat account of the representative of the Eastern Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Combat Command, Senior Colonel Shi Yi .
"In order to increase combat readiness, the Eastern Command Area of the PLA is conducting practical exercises and patrols using various units of the military in sea and air space around the island of Taiwan on August 15," said Shi I.
A spokesman for the command said the drills were related to "the ongoing political games between the US and Taiwan." The forces and means involved in the exercises were not clarified.
"The armed forces of the Combatant Command Zone will take all necessary measures and resolutely protect the country's sovereignty as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the statement said.
The drills were announced a day after a US congressional delegation led by Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) arrived in Taiwan for a two-day visit. Observers believe that this will further strain relations between Beijing and Washington.
On August 2-3, tensions increased across the Taiwan Strait following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taipei. The visit was criticized by official Beijing. Against the background of the trip, China has conducted a series of exercises around its coastline and the island of Taiwan.
For information, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived at Taipei's Songshan Airport on the evening of August 2 and returned on August 3, less than a day on the island. This was the first visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress to the island since 1997. In Taiwan, Pelosi met with the head of the island's administration, Sai Ingwen.
This event strained the relations between the United States and China. Official Beijing began military exercises near Taiwan before Pelosi's arrival. After the visit, training was started in several areas around the island.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly protested and condemned the politician's visit. It was emphasized that his trip would seriously violate the principle of "One China" and the provisions of the three China-US communiques. Beijing also urged Washington to stop using Taiwan to control China. In addition, the diplomatic department assured that it will take all necessary measures to protect the country's sovereignty.
According to the White House, Pelosi's visit to Taiwan did not violate China's sovereignty, and the US administration assured that it "will not allow itself to be intimidated." American officials insist that there is no reason for the escalation of tensions in the region.
The Kremlin called Pelosi's trip a provocation that would increase tensions in the region. The press secretary of the president, Dmitry Peskov, drew attention to the fact that all the countries of the world are taking note of this and noted Russia's solidarity with China.
Chinese military put on high alert after Pelosi's visit. The army has started military exercises at several points around Taiwan.
Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in the Chinese Civil War. Since then, Taiwan has retained the flag and other attributes of the former Republic of China that existed on the mainland before the Communists came to power.
The United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 and established them with the PRC. While recognizing the "one China" policy, Washington maintains relations with the Taipei administration and supplies arms to the island. In 2020, the administration of former US President Donald Trump significantly intensified communications and exchanges with Taiwan amid heightened tensions with Beijing over the situation in Hong Kong, much to the dismay of PRC officials.
The US is Taiwan's main arms supplier. In April of this year, the State Department approved a $95 million contract to maintain Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.