China Launches Military Drills in Six Waters Encircling Taiwan

China has started military exercises with live shooting in six water areas around Taiwan after the US delegation visited the island. According to The Guardian, some of the areas in which the drills will take place overlap with Taiwan’s territorial waters and are close to key seaports. According to an unnamed Taiwanese official, about ten Chinese navy ships briefly crossed the line separating the countries’ territorial waters. In addition, several Chinese aircraft also crossed the line, forcing Taiwan to deploy missile systems to track their activities. According to The Guardian, Taiwan’s military is “preparing for war without seeking war.” On Thursday, China announced “spot strikes” across the Taiwan Strait as part of a military exercise noting that “the expected results have been achieved.” It is reported that the exercise affected 18 international routes: Taiwan authorities estimate that restrictions during the three-day drills will affect 900 flights. According to Vietnamese media, some 36 Vietnam Airlines flights and 82 VietJet flights were forced to change routes to Northeast Asia and North America to avoid the exercise. China announced a four-day military exercise following a visit to Taiwan by a U.S. delegation, including U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that Beijing would view the visit as undermining its sovereignty and threatened Washington with serious consequences. The Chinese authorities consider Taiwan their territory and declare the intention to reunite with it. The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, as do most UN countries, but it strongly opposes China’s threats to annex the island by force. Голос Америки