Increasing cross-strait tensions prompt China to send ships and jets near to Taiwan

Updated on August 05, 2022 18:03 PM by Andrew Koschiev

Military manoeuvres near Taiwan

Chinese warships and aircraft conducted military manoeuvres near Taiwan on Friday, the island's Defense Ministry said, as tensions increased after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit. The ministry labelled the PLA's crossing of the median line a "very provocative act." Beijing and Taipei previously respected the line as an informal border. The ministry said Taiwan's military responded with radio warnings, air patrols, navy ships, and shore-based missiles.

Su Tseng-chang

Premier Su Tseng-chang claimed Taiwan represents "freedom and democracy" and that "the bad neighbour next door exercised its powers on our doorstep" by sabotaging one of the world's busiest waterways. The air and oceans around Taiwan have become a focal point as Beijing escalates tensions with Taiwan and Japan. Japan protested after five Chinese rockets landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Some of the missiles sailed over Taiwan as Pelosi travelled to Tokyo to meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the Taiwan Strait Crisis in the 1990s, China fired missiles into waters surrounding Taiwan, a 24-million-person democratic island the CCP views as its territory despite never controlling it. Missiles passing over the island constituted a significant escalation, and US officials warned more may come.

John Kirby

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, told reporters at the White House on Thursday, "We expected China to take such moves." "We expect these efforts to continue and Chinese reactions in the following days." Kirby said a US aircraft carrier will "watch the situation" around Taiwan for several days. Kishida called the Chinese military drills "a major issue touching the security of our country and its people" on Friday. Japan and the US will "keep Taiwan Strait stability," he said.

"Isolating Taiwan"

Pelosi criticised China of "isolating Taiwan" in Tokyo on Friday, citing the island's exclusion from the WHO. "They may try to block Taiwan from going or participating elsewhere, but we won't let them isolate ourselves," she said. Her Taiwan visit was to maintain the status quo, not change it. Later Friday, China's Foreign Ministry stated it was sanctioning Pelosi and her family for "seriously interfering in China's domestic affairs"

Surveillance of US Aegis combat system

China began military manoeuvres surrounding Taiwan on Thursday, launching numerous missiles into northeastern and southern waterways. A Chinese military analyst acknowledged on CCTV that conventional missiles flew over Taiwan's main island, including defence missile airspace. "We hit the targets under the surveillance of US Aegis combat system," claimed Maj. Gen. Meng Xiangqing, a Beijing strategy professor.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry

Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated the missiles flew above the atmosphere and presented no threat to the territory. The government claimed authorities didn't raise air raid alerts because the missiles would land east of Taiwan. The government won't share more details on the rockets' trajectory to protect intelligence gathering. Four of the five ballistic missiles are thought to have flown over Taiwan, Japan's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Air defence identification zone (ADIZ)

"This threatens Japan's security and residents' safety. We denounce it "Nobuo Kishi, Japan's defence minister, said reporters. China launched 22 aeroplanes into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday. Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported 12 Su-30s, 8 J-11s, and 2 J-16s intruded on Thursday.

"Restricted waters"

Later Thursday, the ministry said it spotted four drones over "restricted waters" outside Taiwan's Kinmen islands near China. The government said Taiwan's military fired flares to scare away drones, but did not disclose the type or origin.

Spokeswoman for Taiwan's Foreign Ministry

A spokeswoman for Taiwan's Foreign Ministry claimed both the government's English website and the ministry website were attacked heavily on Tuesday, Pelosi's arrival day. The IP addresses behind the attacks came from China, Russia, and other regions, a spokeswoman said.After emergency repairs, the websites were back to normal, but "huge attacks with malicious intent.. by foreign enemy forces" persisted Thursday and Friday.

Taiwan's president’s speech

Taiwan's president called China's military drills "irresponsible" and a "escalation of military threats" in a speech on Thursday. "We don't intend to aggravate confrontations or instigate issues, but we will defend our sovereignty and national safety," she said. She also praised the Group of Seven, which expressed worry about China's live-fire exercises and urged Beijing not to disrupt the status quo in the region.

Chinese Defense Ministry

Some foreign flights were cancelled, and ships were told to utilise alternative routes to many ports around the island. The Chinese Defense Ministry said Tuesday it will perform exercises in six zones around Taiwan, advising ships and planes to stay away.

The Taiwan Strait is a significant commerce route between China, Japan, South Korea, and the rest of the world.