China’s military drills around Taiwan island starts at noon Thursday

 

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China has started large-scale military sea and air exercises around Taiwan following a controversial visit by US politician Nancy Pelosi.

Th live fire drill began at 12 pm local time (0400 GMT) on Thursday and will last until noon on Sunday, August 7th including a long-range live fire drill, in six different areas that encircle the island of Taiwan, reported China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

For safety concerns, vessels and aircraft will be prohibited from entering the relevant sea and air space during the period, the report said.

The military drills come two days after a visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as Chinese territory.

Taiwan officials have said the drills violate UN rules, invade Taiwan’s territorial space and are a direct challenge to free air and sea navigation.

China is conducting drills on the busiest international waterways and aviation routes and that is “irresponsible, illegitimate behaviour,” Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said.

Beijing has also announced a raft of retaliatory economic measures in response to Pelosi’s visit, including blocking imports of thousands of food products from Taiwan. Read more …