White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, whereas addressing the media on Friday, reacted to Chinese army drills within the Taiwan Strait and referred to as them “fundamentally irresponsible”. “There is no need and there’s no reason for this escalation,” mentioned Pierre, whereas including that different members of Congress have visited Taiwan a number of instances on this 12 months alone.
Earlier, China mentioned it performed “precision missile strikes” within the Taiwan Strait hours after China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) started its “largest-ever” army workouts together with dwell firing within the waters and within the airspace surrounding the island of Taiwan.
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This got here in retaliation to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go to to Taipei which didn’t heed China’s warning to the US in opposition to supporting “Taiwan independence”.
The US National National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby additionally echoed Pierre’s statements earlier and mentioned, “We condemn these actions, that are irresponsible and at odds with our longstanding aim of sustaining peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait and within the area.”
CHINA’S MILITARY DRILLS OFF TAIWAN
China is conducting drills utilizing land-based missiles and fighter jets round six zones encircling Taiwan. These drills are aimed toward making a blockade round key transport ports across the island.
China’s plane provider Shandong (CV-17) left the naval base of Sanya on the day of Pelosi’s go to and Liaoning-001 additionally raised anchor from the house base in Qingdao.
However, it isn’t simply Chinese warships which can be surrounding Taiwan. As a counter measure in opposition to China’s army incursions, the US additionally deployed its warships east of Taiwan. There are 4 US warships, together with a nuclear-powered plane provider that’s supported by two different warships.
CHINA HALTS COOPERATION WITH US
Meanwhile, China’s overseas ministry on Friday mentioned it has halted cooperation with the United States in numerous areas, together with dialogue between senior-level army commanders and local weather talks, in retaliation for Nancy Pelosi’s go to to Taiwan.
It can be suspending cooperation with the US on prevention of cross-border crime and drug trafficking, and on repatriating unlawful migrants, amongst different measures.
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