Military: USA: Overreaction by China after Pelosi visit

In the conflict over Taiwan, China launched the largest military show of force in decades.

Military: USA: Overreaction by China after Pelosi visit

In the conflict over Taiwan, China launched the largest military show of force in decades. The maneuvers in six restricted areas around the democratic island republic, which have been in full swing since Thursday, are aimed at an air and sea blockade. You could also be a model for violent conquest. According to Chinese information, rockets for "precision strikes" were also fired. The muscle flexing is intended to deter Taiwan from any further push for independence. They are also a warning to the US to stay out of the dispute.

China's People's Liberation Army ordered the maneuvers in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan on Tuesday and Wednesday -- the highest-level visit from the US in a quarter-century. China sees the island as part of the People's Republic. The leadership in Beijing had vehemently warned against the visit. Taiwan, on the other hand, has long considered itself independent. The top US politician continued her trip to Asia on Thursday in South Korea.

Long-range missiles were fired in the Taiwan Strait strait separating Taiwan from the mainland and east of the island, the People's Liberation Army Eastern Military Command said. "All missiles hit their targets accurately," said a spokesman. According to Taiwanese information, China has "Dongfeng" (East Wind) missiles in use. Taiwanese armed forces remain on combat readiness. The Ministry of Defense in Taipei said all six maneuver areas and offshore islands would be monitored.

Japan and the USA want to work closely together

Japan and the US want to work closely together in the face of the conflict. It is important to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Chair of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, agreed on this at a meeting in Tokyo.

Japan has refrained from taking an official stance on Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, but is urging a peaceful resolution of the issues through dialogue. After Kishida, Pelosi also wanted to meet the Speaker of the Japanese House of Commons. Japan is a key Washington ally. The USA is also Japan's protecting power.

Taiwan: Undermining regional peace

Taiwan does not seek conflict but will defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ministry said. China has chosen the location and scale of the maneuver areas in a way that violates Taiwan's status quo and undermines regional peace. This refers to the areas partially entering Taiwan's territorial waters - unlike previous maneuvers.

The drills are also larger than in the 1995-96 "missile crisis," when China fired missiles north and south across Taiwan's territorial waters. Even then, Beijing wanted to deter the pro-independence forces. At that time, the United States sent two aircraft carriers. Today, China's goals are broader: it wants to practice a blockade of the island, sea attacks, landings and airspace control.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for de-escalation during a visit to Canada. Pelosi's visit "must not be used as an excuse for military threats." The status quo can only be changed peacefully and with the mutual consent of all those involved. The big seven western industrial nations (G7) also expressed concern about China's behavior. Germany currently chairs the group.

USA: Overreaction and escalation by China after Pelosi visit

The US government accuses China of overreacting and unnecessary escalation after Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. China has launched an estimated 11 ballistic missiles toward Taiwan, National Security Council communications director John Kirby said in Washington. "We condemn these actions." Beijing's actions are irresponsible. "China has overreacted, using the visit of the chairmen (of the House of Representatives) as a pretext to step up its provocative military activities in and around the Taiwan Strait." Kirby lamented, "Beijing's provocative actions are a significant escalation."

Kremlin: Military maneuvers are 'China's sovereign right'

China is backed by allied Russia in its controversial military maneuvers. "As for the maneuvers, that's China's sovereign right," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, according to the Interfax agency. Peskow once again criticized the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi to Taipei a few days ago, which Beijing sharply condemned. "It was a completely unnecessary visit and an unnecessary provocation," said Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's spokesman.

Bärbel Bas invited to Taiwan

Taiwan invited Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) to follow Pelosi's example. The representative in Germany, Jhy-Wey Shieh, told the "Tagesspiegel": "The inhibitions about traveling to Taiwan must fall. I propose that a Bundestag delegation headed by the speaker of the parliament travel to Taiwan." The German export industry views the escalation with concern. "Taiwan is an important part of many sectors of the world economy thanks to its electronics and semiconductor industry," said BGA President Dirk Jandura of the "Rheinische Post".

In response to the maneuvers, several international airlines have canceled flights or changed routes in cross-strait airspace. China had previously warned against flights around Taiwan.