China wrapping up military drills around Taiwan, announcing fresh ones
China is wrapping up its largest-ever military drills around Taiwan which began on Thursday following a visit to Taipei by the US House speaker.
Some 10 warships each from China and Taiwan sailed at close quarters in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, with some Chinese vessels crossing the median line, an unofficial buffer separating the two sides, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed that China has also dispatched "planes, vessels and drones" around the Taiwan Strait.
Taipei said, in response, it mobilized a “joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system to closely monitor the enemy situation.”
Earlier on Sunday, Beijing conducted "practical joint exercises in the sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan Island as planned", the Chinese military's Eastern Command said.
“The drills were focused on testing the joint firepower on the ground and long-range air strike capabilities”, it added.
Beijing’s military also released a video of an air force pilot filming the island’s coastline and mountains from his cockpit, which clearly shows how close China's forces have been getting to Taiwan's shores.
The 4-day drills were held in response to Nancy Pelosi’s highly controversial visit to Taiwan on Wednesday.
The intensity of China’s rage over the visit was such that it withdrew from key talks on climate change and defense with the US.
China also announced Sunday it will conduct two other military exercises; one on the Bohai Sea from Aug. 8 to Sept. 8, and another on the Yellow Sea from Aug. 7 to 15.
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