The situation across the Taiwan Straits has drastically escalated as the military deployment from the Chinese mainland, US and the island of Taiwan continues creeping up, ahead of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s reported visit to Taiwan island on Tuesday night, which China sees as a serious provocation and violation to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China is conducting military drills in Bohai Sea and South China Sea in what is seen as an effort to deter US House speaker from visiting the islandPLA destroyer and guided missile frigate enter waters east of Taiwan while US warships operate near the island.
According to announcements released by the China Maritime Safety Administration, military training will be conducted in some waters of the South China Sea from Tuesday to Saturday, and entry is prohibited.
Meanwhile, live-fire drills will be carried out in the northern Bohai Sea, where entry is also forbidden, from Monday to Thursday.
Both of aircraft carriers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy have reportedly moved out from their homeports amid escalation of geopolitical tensions.
The aircraft carrier Liaoning on Sunday embarked on a voyage from its homeport in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, and the aircraft carrier Shandong on Monday set out from its homeport in Sanya, South China’s Hainan Province, accompanied by a Type 075 amphibious assault ship, media on the island of Taiwan reported on Tuesday.
A report by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on Monday shows that the Liaoning was sailing at sea when sailors aboard celebrated the Army Day.
According to the news website of the US Naval Institute the USNI News, the US Navy’s Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike group has sailed near the southeast side of Taiwan in the Philippines Sea, with analysts saying that it could provide escort to Pelosi’s flight.
Local media on the island of Taiwan said that the Liaoning could head south and the Shandong could head north, surrounding the island of Taiwan from both directions to deter Pelosi.3 minutes ago
Chinese carrier Xiamen Air said on Tuesday that it adjusted dozens of flights in and out of airports in East China’s Fujian Province, citing air traffic control.
Fujian is in close proximity to the island of Taiwan, with the city of Xiamen just about 300 km away from the island.
Xiamen Air announced adjustments to 50 flights by 2 pm local time, according to a list posted on the airline’s official website. All the adjustments were time changes.
Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for China Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular news briefing on Tuesday that China will closely monitor whether the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will proceed with the expected Taiwan visit.
Should the US choose to continue with the Taiwan visit, China will take stern measures to defend its sovereignty, national security as well as interests, she said.
The provocations from the US will result in escalating tension between China and the U.S., for which the latter must be responsible, Hua said.
She added that the Chinese government hopes US officials fully understand how crucial and sensitive Nancy Pelosi’s expected visit to Taiwan is, as well as how dangerous it can be, should it actually take place.