The waters around Taiwan are busy with boat traffic, and instead of playing nice, it seems China is ready to fight, according to a statement by the Chinese military and reported by the Associated Press.
The military had more to say, stating, The theaters troops are ready to fight at all times and can fight at any time to resolutely smash any form of Taiwan independence and foreign interference attempts.
The Associated Press reports, The exercises were similar to ones conducted by China last August when it launched missile strikes on targets in the seas around Taiwan in retaliation for then Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan, but have been smaller and less disruptive.
The recent visit by Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California and a congressional delegation meeting with Tsai once she returned to Taiwan seems to be the catalyst for Chinas military activity.
Expert military strategists say the exercises are being used to instill intimidation and allow Taiwan to run sea and practice tests in case the situation arises where China is forced to take Taiwan.
The White House was quick to respond to the practice tactics. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby repeated the Biden administrations stand on Tsais visit. Between 2016 and 2019, Tsai traveled through the United States. Kirby said, There was no reason to react in any way militarily. Theres no reason for tensions across the Taiwan Strait to devolve into any kind of conflict.
After McCarthys meeting, China immediately acted against anyone associated with Tsais trip to the U.S. by imposing a travel ban along with financial sanctions to add to the heightened military activity.
According to Kuo Yu-jen, director of the Institute for National Policy Research in Taiwan, China wants to use any increase of diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and Taiwan as an excuse to train its military.
The training after the latest interaction between the Taiwan President and the U.S. involved fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, bombers, warships, military transport places, and the Shandong aircraft carrier.
Throughout the several-day ordeal, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense monitored the Chinese air and sea military force. A statement by the Defense Ministry said the situation was being approached by Taiwan from the stand of not escalating conflict, and not causing disputes.
The U.S. chairman of the House Select Committee on China, Mike Gallagher, told the AP hes leading a committee to reinforce Taiwans defenses and encourage Congress to send military aid.
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