Pelosi in Taiwan: Taiwan defence ministry says Chinese drills seriously violated island’s sovereignty
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A screen showing footage of Chinese People's Liberation Army's ships during an evening news programme, in Beijing, on Aug 2, 2022.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TAIPEI (REUTERS, AFP) - Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Wednesday (Aug 3) that Chinese military drills have violated United Nations rules, invaded Taiwan’s territorial space and amount to a blockade of its air and sea, amid high tensions as US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits the island.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said the island will firmly defend its security, counter any move that violates territorial sovereignty and enhance its alertness level with the principle of not asking for war.
The defence ministry added during a news conference on Wednesday that China continues to launch psychological warfare on Taiwan, and that people should not believe in rumours and report any fake news to the government.
The defence ministry also said the planned Chinese live-fire military drills encircling Taiwan threaten the island's key ports and urban areas, vowing "strengthened" defences and a resolute response as cross-strait tensions soar.
Island authorities pilloried Beijing's bellicose military posture just hours after China flew 21 military planes into Taiwan's air defence zone.
China's leaders have expressed fury at the visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, painting it as a provocation that threatens the fragile cross-strait status quo.
In response, China has announced a series of live-fire military exercises around Taiwan, with the Eastern Theatre Command saying that "joint naval and air exercises will be conducted in the northern, south-western, and south-eastern sea and air spaces" of the island.
The drills will include "long-range live ammunition shooting" in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the island from mainland China.
At some points, the zone of Chinese operations will come within 20 kilometres of Taiwan's shoreline, according to coordinates shared by the People's Liberation Army.
Beijing considers self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if necessary.
With the risk of conflict or miscalculation rising, officials from outgunned Taiwan have tried to appear resolute to preserve public calm.
"The defence ministry has closely monitored and strengthened preparations, and will respond appropriately in due time," Taiwan's defence department said.
"The military will definitely stick to its posts and protect national security. We ask the public to rest assured and support the military."
The drill is "an attempt to threaten our important ports and urban areas, and unilaterally undermine regional peace and stability," it added.
"This move will not help China's international image."
Beijing's commerce ministry also announced retaliatory economic measures, saying it would suspend the export to Taiwan of natural sand - a key component in the manufacturing of semiconductors, one of the island's main exports.
