China today held new military maneuvers near the island in response to the visit of another US delegation to Taiwan. This serves as a “strong deterrent against the United States and Taiwan and their political tricks that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits,” the Chinese military said. China regards the democratically governed Taiwan as a breakaway province and claims the island as its own.
The government in Beijing is threatening all countries that maintain or establish contacts with Taiwan with consequences. Shortly after the controversial visit to Taiwan by the President of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, another delegation of five US Congressmen traveled to the island republic. It is led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey and was received there today by President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beijing sees sovereignty violated
The visit is part of a trip to the Indo-Pacific region, according to a statement from the US representation in Taipei, which performs the duties of an embassy. Meetings with Taiwan politicians will deal with relations and global supply chains, among other things. The US stressed that visits by US members of Congress to Taiwan are not unusual and are in line with the US One China policy.
The Defense Ministry in Beijing, on the other hand, said the visit violated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The USA showed “their true face”. The Chinese military will continue to “prepare for war and take resolute action against any form of separatist ‘Taiwan independence’ and foreign interference.”
Pelosi visited Taiwan last week. China sees the visit as a provocation and a violation of its own sovereignty and, after its departure, launched maneuvers in the immediate vicinity of the island on an unprecedented scale.