- China is conducting military maneuvers around the island in response to US leader Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
- The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exercises are taking place both at sea and in the air around Taiwan.
- Japan reported five ballistic missiles hitting its exclusive economic zone.
- The PLA’s Military East Command said it also fired two long-range missiles in certain areas in the eastern part of the Taiwan Strait.
The attacks had achieved the “expected results”. An internal Taiwan security report seen by Reuters showed that China also fired two missiles near Taiwan’s Matsu Islands, just a few kilometers off China’s coast, in the early afternoon (local time). The maneuvers should last until Sunday.
A cabinet spokesman in Taipei said the websites of the defense and foreign ministries and the presidential office had also been attacked by hackers.
Legend:
Dozens of Chinese fighter jets crossed the middle of the Taiwan Straits.
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Taiwan’s defense ministry said the military will continue to heighten its alert to safeguard national security and sovereignty and respond appropriately to the “enemy situation.” Taiwan will not shy away from fully defending its territory in the face of increased threats from China, the island’s presidential office affirmed.
It said China’s military exercise around Taiwan is affecting the flow of goods and international freedom of navigation. The situation in the “Taiwan Strait” and near the offshore islands of Taiwan is being closely monitored. Taiwan had already said on Wednesday that China would probably invade Taiwanese territory with the maneuvers.
Legend:
A passer-by watches a news broadcast at a mall in Beijing showing a fighter jet during military operations near Taiwan.
Reuters/Thomas Peter
The Japanese defense minister also reported violations of Japan’s exclusive economic zone: five ballistic missiles hit Japanese waters. It was the first such incident. He added that Japan had lodged a protest through diplomatic channels.
Legend:
The exercise areas marked in red touch waters controlled by Taiwan.
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The current incident is the biggest crisis in Taiwan in a quarter of a century. The maneuvers in the six areas around the democratic island republic are aimed at an air and sea blockade. You could also be a model for violent conquest.
The muscle flexing is intended to deter Taiwan from any further push for independence. They are also a warning to the US to stay out of the dispute.
The exercises are also larger than in the “missile crisis” of 1995-96, when China fired missiles north and south across Taiwan’s territorial waters. Even then, Beijing wanted to deter the pro-independence forces. At that time, the United States sent two aircraft carriers
Response to Pelosi’s visit
China’s People’s Liberation Army ordered the maneuvers in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on Tuesday and Wednesday — the highest-level visit from the US in a quarter-century. China sees the island as part of the People’s Republic.
The leadership in Beijing had vehemently warned against the visit. Taiwan, on the other hand, has long considered itself independent. The top US politician continued her trip to Asia on Thursday in South Korea.