A visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spurred China to initiate heavily denounced military maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait.
After China’s military conducted live-fire drills outside Taiwan, Taiwan’s premier branded China as the “evil next-door neighbor.”
Su Tseng-chang told reporters in the capital Taipei that China’s military exercises were harming the Taiwan Strait, the world’s busiest waterway, and that China’s activities were criticized by neighboring nations and the international community.
Beijing acknowledges that live fire has occurred, but explains that it was “precise missile strikes” conducted as part of exercises by its navy, air force, and other agencies in the six zones surrounding the island.
Japan claims it was compelled to protest with China after five missiles landed within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
The drills are meant to illustrate China’s response to steps by the self-governing island to consolidate its de facto independence from Chinese sovereignty. The drills were sparked by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island this week.
Taiwan has activated its military and conducted civil defense exercises, while the United States maintains numerous naval assets in the region.
Following her journey to Taiwan, Ms. Pelosi stated in a speech in Tokyo that China would not isolate Taiwan by banning US officials from traveling there, and that the United States’ commitment to democracy in Taiwan “remains unwavering.”
China was angered by her choice to become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since the 1990s, and she has also received criticism at home. US Vice President Joe Biden cautioned against her trip, and US allies in the Asia-Pacific region have not been quick to praise her 24-hour stay as part of a regional tour.
Ms. Pelosi addressed the diplomatic storm produced by the travel to Taiwan by five members of the United States Congress while she was in Tokyo.
She stated, “We have stated from the beginning that our representation here is not intended to alter the status quo in Taiwan or the region.”
Beijing has warned that the visit will harm China-US relations, and the foreign ministry has stated that it constitutes a grave violation of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China’s foreign ministry announced in a statement made shortly after she arrives in Taipei that it has registered a strong protest with the United States.
Taiwan, a 23-million-person island located 183 kilometers off the coast of China, proclaims independence as a democratic nation with its government, constitution, political system, and military.
With territorial claims dating back to 229 A.D., the Communist Party in Beijing views the island as a breakaway province of China that will someday return under its rule – by force if necessary.
This is referred to as the One China principle, which is a diplomatic recognition that Beijing is the sole legal ruling force in China.
Technically, the United States subscribes to a variation of this – a One China policy – and so, the United Nations does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state. However, it still maintains unofficial connections with the island and supports its dedication to democracy.
