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| China has conducted its largest ever military exercises around Taiwan, which Taiwan is calling an "irresponsible and illegal behavior". (Photo: AFP) |
After US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China on Thursday launched its largest-ever military drills around Taiwan with live fire, which Taiwan described as "irresponsible and illegal behavior".
According to Chinese state media, Chinese military exercises, including 'live firing', began in the Taiwan Strait at 12pm local time.
Nancy Pelosi, the highest elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, left Taiwan on Wednesday.
In a strong reaction to his visit, Beijing issued statements saying 'America will punish him' while the US ambassador in Beijing was summoned to the Foreign Office to record the protest.
State broadcaster CCTV reported to Jamarat: 'Six large areas around the island were selected for this actual battle drill and ships and aircraft should not enter the relevant waters and airspace during the drills.'
The exercises will take place in multiple zones around Taiwan, in some locations just 20 kilometers off the coast, and will conclude on Sunday afternoon.
Taiwan's defense ministry said it was monitoring the exercises.
A statement said: "The Ministry of National Defense emphasizes that it will adhere to the principle of preparing for battle without adopting a battle-like and conflict-increasing attitude."
A Taiwanese security expert said two missiles were launched near Taiwan's Matsu Islands, which are close to China and in waters designated for the exercises, at around 2 a.m. local time in the drills.
Taiwanese officials have called the exercises a violation of UN rules and Taiwan's integrity.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party said China's actions in international waters and airspace were "irresponsible and illegal behavior."
Taiwan's Cabinet spokesman said the defense ministry and presidential office websites also faced hacker attacks.
Security sources in Taiwan told Reuters that Chinese navy ships and aircraft crossed the border several times in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday morning.
For days, military aircraft from the countries have been in the area, while Taiwan has flown its planes and activated defense systems to monitor Chinese planes violating the border.
Taiwanese sources said: 'They came, then went and did it again and again. They are harassing us.
Beijing's nationalist state-run Global Times quoted military analysts as saying the drills were "unprecedented" and that the missiles would fly over Taiwan for the first time.
The paper, using the Chinese military's official name, the People's Liberation Army, said it was the first time the PLA would deploy long-range direct artillery across the Taiwan Strait.
The Group of Seven industrialized nations condemned the drills in a statement, saying the visit "does not justify using it as a pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait."
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| Chinese military exercises in the sea near Taiwan's Fujian Island on August 4, 2022 (photo: AFP) |
Taiwan's Maritime and Port Bureau on Wednesday issued a warning to ships to stay away from areas used for Chinese exercises.
Taiwan's cabinet said China's recent drills would disrupt 18 international routes passing through its Flight Information Region (FIR).
Hong Kong company Cathay Pacific said it had instructed its planes to "avoid passing through designated airspace around Taiwan".
The exercises will take place along some of the busiest waterways on the planet, where critical semiconductors and electronic equipment manufactured in East Asian factory hubs are transported to global markets.
Beijing accused the US and its allies of escalating tensions, calling the exercises "necessary".
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying formally stated in a briefing on Wednesday that "China is the target of American provocation" in Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
A Chinese military source also told AFP that the exercises would be conducted in "preparation for real battle".
Sources said that if Taiwanese forces deliberately came in front of the PLA and fired accidentally, the PLA would take strong countermeasures and Taiwan would be responsible for all the consequences.
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