On August 12, Washington announced its intention to strengthen its commercial relations with Taiwan and to carry out new air and sea crossings in the strait, in response to the actions “provocateurs” from China. During the most important military maneuvers in its history around Taiwan, the Chinese army had for five days deployed warships, missiles and fighter planes, simulating a blockade of the island.
On August 16, Vice Admiral of the Seventh Fleet, Karl Thomas, called“irresponsible” the firing of ballistic missiles over the island by Beijing during these exercises, pointing out that these shots had grazed international shipping lanes.
Taiwan lives under the constant threat of an invasion from Beijing, which considers the autonomous island as part of its territory to be reconquered one day, and if necessary by force. Beijing, for its part, rebels once morest any diplomatic action likely to confer legitimacy on Taiwan and has reacted with increasing aggressiveness to visits by Western officials and politicians.
