In response to a visit by a U.S. congressional delegation to Taiwan, Chinese military forces are reportedly holding exercises near the island country.
“The drills in the area of the Taiwan Strait are a necessary measure to safeguard national sovereignty,” China’s Defense Ministry said in an announcement on Tuesday. However, it did not give any details on the timing, participants and location of the exercises.
It said the “joint war preparedness patrol” by the Eastern Theater Command was prompted by the “seriously incorrect words and actions of relevant countries over the issue of Taiwan” and the actions of those advocating the self-governing island’s independence.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China considers the US delegation’s visit a serious violation of its commitments to not have formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.
“China is firmly opposed to that and has made solemn representations to the U.S.,” Wang said at a daily briefing Wednesday.
“All risky and provocative actions against China’s reunification are like an ant trying to topple over a giant tree and are doomed to fail,” Wang said.
Tensions have been rising lately between the U.S. and China over several issues including Hong Kong, the South China Sea, the coronavirus pandemic and trade. Details on the U.S. delegation that reportedly arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday were not immediately available.
The US has a strong and informal relationship with Taiwan.
A Chinese Defense Ministry statement from an unidentified spokesperson strongly condemned the visit, saying “no one should underestimate the firm determination of the People’s Liberation Army to safeguard the Chinese people’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In Washington, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said congressional visits to Taiwan “are relatively common and in keeping with U.S. obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act,” which requires the U.S. government to ensure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself and regard threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”
The delegation arrived in Taipei on Tuesday evening aboard a C-40 Clipper jet, which departed soon afterward, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency. Kirby said traveling on a U.S. military jet was customary for such delegations.
Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said the ministry had worked with the American Institute in Taiwan, which is the de facto U.S. embassy, on arrangements for the visit but gave no details. She said further information would be released at the “appropriate time.”
