Thursday April 13, 2023
Because of “rocket debris” China bans ships from entering Taiwan on Sunday
Just last week, China held a three-day military exercise around Taiwan.
(Foto: picture alliance/dpa/CCTV/AP)
Just a few days ago, China announced a no-fly zone over northern Taiwan for this Sunday. Reason are “space activities”. Now follows a ban on ships in an area north of the island. China also gives a reason for this.
A few days following large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan, China banned ships from entering an area north of the island on Sunday because of “possible falling missile debris”. The area, regarding 160 kilometers from the Taiwanese capital Taipei, will be closed on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (local time, 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. CEST), said the maritime security authority of east China’s Fujian province. During this closure, ships are prohibited from entering.
According to Taiwanese information, China had already announced a few days earlier that it would set up a 27-minute no-fly zone over the north of the island on Sunday. This was justified with “space activities”. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing declined to comment on a no-fly zone. It was unclear whether there was a connection with the military exercises.
China held a military maneuver dubbed the “United Sword” around self-governing Taiwan from Saturday to Monday. The Chinese units simulated attacks on “key targets” in Taiwan and practiced a blockade of the island.
Reaction to US visit by Taiwanese President
With the military exercises, Beijing responded to a visit to the United States by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. There she met the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. He holds the third highest public office in the country.
Since the political split between mainland China and Taiwan in 1949, Beijing has viewed the island as a breakaway territory that it wants to reunite with the mainland – if necessary using military force.
Those: ntv.de
vmi/AFP
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