China has decided to conduct large-scale military exercises, including live ammunition, in the waters surrounding Taiwan.
State-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct important military exercises in the waters and air in six areas near Taiwan from 12:00 on the 4th (local time) to 12:00 on the 7th. The training will include live ammunition firing.
Separately, from the night of the 2nd, the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Division, which is in charge of the eastern part of China including Taiwan, will conduct joint air and naval exercises in the waters and air of northern, southwestern and southeastern Taiwan, long-range firepower live ammunition in the Taiwan Strait, and general firepower in the eastern Taiwanese waters. He said that he would conduct a trial. “This measure is a severe pressure on the recent negative moves by the United States intensifying in Taiwan and a warning to Taiwanese independence forces,” said Army Colonel Sui, a spokesperson for the Eastern Front.
Despite repeated warnings and opposition from China, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan on the night of the 2nd. Immediately following Pelosi’s plane landed in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Communist Party of China, the National Political Consultative Council, and the Ministry of National Defense, respectively, said “China firmly opposes and strictly condemns” issued a statement of content.
Beijing = Correspondent Hyeonu Kang [email protected]
