The drills are a reaction to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. China opposed Pelosi’s visit and warned in advance of its consequences. The video footage is from China’s state-run CCTV.
Antti Palomaa,
Jenni Joensuu
China’s military has launched several ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan during military exercises on Thursday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense says.
“The Chinese Communist Party launched several Dongfeng missiles into the waters surrounding the northeastern and southwestern parts of Taiwan starting at approximately 1:56 p.m. this afternoon,” the Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on Twitter that it condemned the actions of the Chinese military.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg told the Reuters news agency that China has no reason to overreact to the speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for a visit.
– High-level representatives of the United States and other NATO allies have visited Taiwan regularly over the years. Therefore, this does not give China a reason to overreact, Stoltenberg said.
Japan objected
According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, five Chinese ballistic missiles landed in Japan’s EEZ. Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi said this is the first time this has happened.
Kishi said that Japan has lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels.
The economic zone is an area wider than the territorial waters of the state. The zone extends 370 kilometers from the coast. In the economic zone, the state has the right to explore and exploit marine natural resources.
Taiwan: China seeks to isolate the island
Taiwan’s Internal Affairs Council said Thursday it believes China’s intention is to isolate Taiwan and force the international community to stop supporting Taiwan, Reuters reports. The council also said it was on alert for Chinese infiltration and psychological warfare.
– The use of force does not solve problems or disagreements. Peace is in everyone’s interest, the council said.
China, which considers Taiwan a rebel province, has called the actions a “domestic political matter.” China has announced that the exercises will continue until Sunday.
The military exercises have forced several commercial vessels to change routes.
According to Bloomberg, nearly half of the global container fleet and 88 percent of the world’s largest ships have passed through the Taiwan Strait this year. Disruptions lasting days are expected to affect supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries worldwide.
China canceled the meeting of foreign ministers
Because of China’s exercises, Taiwan has also canceled several flights.
On Thursday, at least 40 flights departing from and arriving in Taiwan had been cancelled, Reuters reports.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it had also canceled the meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yin had to meet his Japanese colleague Yoshimasa Hayashi In Cambodia at the Asean meeting of Southeast Asian countries.
China canceled the meeting after the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the G7 countries. In a statement, the ministers (including Japan) condemned China’s actions in Taiwan and hoped for a peaceful solution to the matter.
Nancy Pelosi’s visit as a trigger
The missile launches are related to China’s military exercises around Taiwan. China started the military exercises in response to the speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi after visiting Taiwan.
China opposed Pelosi’s visit and warned in advance of its consequences. Even under Pelosi’s visit on Tuesday, several Taiwanese government websites were subjected to cyber attacks believed to be carried out by China. At least the websites of Taiwan’s president and foreign ministry were down for a while.
China’s largest-ever exercises around Taiwan take place on busy waterways and include long-range shooting. Taiwan’s ruling party says the exercises are “irresponsible and illegal.”
Foreign ministers hope for peace
The foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries met in Phnom Penh and hoped that China would refrain from military action.
Ministers warned of the possibility of open conflict.
– Provocative actions can lead to miscalculations, serious conflict, open conflict and unpredictable sanctions, the ministers said in their joint statement on Thursday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the US Secretary of State also participated in the Southeast Asian Cooperation Organization ASEAN meeting Antony Blinken.
China announced that the military exercises also include long-range shooting. According to reporters from the AFP news agency, ammunition has been fired in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese ships have also crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait.