China begins 'unprecedented' military drills around Taiwan
euronews.comChina has begun large-scale military sea and air exercises around Taiwan, following a controversial visit by US politician Nancy Pelosi.
The live fire drills began at 12:00 local time (04:00 GMT), with some taking place within 12 miles of the self-ruled island.
China's military manoeuvres started Tuesday night following the arrival of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, which has enraged Beijing.
Taiwan said China, which regards Taiwan as its own, was trying to revise the status quo in the region and had broken United Nations rules.
Beijing later announced a raft of retaliatory economic measures on Tuesday in response to Pelosi’s visit, which has blocked some international trade with the island.
Chinese military activity, involving firing long-range ammunition in congested shipping lanes in the Taiwan Strait, continued on Wednesday.
Taiwan says the drills have invaded its territorial space and amounted to a blockade of its air and sea.
Speaking to the BBC, Analyst Bonnie Lin said Taipei would react militarily, though there was a risk of confrontation between the pair.
"For example, if China decides to fly planes over Taiwan's airspace, there is a chance that Taiwan might try to intercept them. And we could see a mid-air collision, we could see a lot of different scenarios playing out," she said.
Beijing has not ruled out using force to take control of the island in the past.
The United States (US) follows a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Washington said the drills were reckless and carried the risk of escalating the situation in the region.
The Taiwanese government has scrambled jets to intercept Chinese combat planes in recent
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