China escalates tension with Taiwan, conducts wargames; US responds with show of strength

China: On the third day of wargames surrounding the self-governing island, China simulated “sealing off” Taiwan while the United States sent a naval destroyer into Beijing-claimed waters as a show of force. In response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visiting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week, an encounter it had warned would elicit a ferocious response, China started the exercises.

US had previously urged China to exercise prudence

The Chinese military claimed the wargames involved “sealing” Taiwan after two days of drills that simulated targeted attacks on the island and its encirclement. According to the military, one of China’s two aircraft carriers “participated in today’s exercise.” The USS Milius, a guided-missile destroyer, was sent through disputed areas of the South China Sea on Monday. The US had previously urged China to exercise prudence.

The ship had travelled close to the Spratly Islands

The US Navy issued a statement saying, “This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea.” The ship had travelled close to the Spratly Islands, which are an archipelago that China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei all claim as their own. 800 miles or roughly 1,300 km separate it from Taiwan.

Just want to live peaceful and stable lives, 60-year-old cook said

China became even more irate after the Milius was sent out, accusing it of “illegally intruding” into its territorial waters. Lin Ke-qiang, a 60-year-old cook who lives on Beigan island in Taiwan’s Matsu archipelago, which is visible from China’s mainland, told that he just did not want conflict. Lin stated that “we, the common people, just want to live peaceful and stable lives,” adding that Taiwan’s military was insufficient to contend with China’s. Now that their missiles are so sophisticated, there is no way for our side to withstand them in a conflict. The ground will be levelled on this side.

McCarthy and Tsai met while McCarthy was returning home after a trip

Following a civil war that ended in 1949, China and Taiwan divided. China has promised to one day annex Taiwan and sees it as part of its territory. The US has purposefully avoided saying whether it will militarily defend Taiwan. However, it has provided diplomatic assistance and sold Taipei weapons for decades to help assure its ability to defend itself. McCarthy and Tsai met while McCarthy was returning home after a trip to two ally nations in Central America. Following a visit to the island by McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, in August of last year, China conducted its greatest display of force in years, deploying warships, missiles, and fighter jets all around Taiwan. McCarthy and Tsai met last week in the US as opposed to Taiwan. This was seen as a compromise that would show support for Taiwan while preventing the escalation of hostilities with Beijing. The most recent wargames, however, were started not long after Tsai returned to Taiwan, despite China’s repeated warnings against any meeting.

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The maneuvers will take place around Pingtan

Live-fire training were scheduled to take place on Monday off the rocky Fujian province coast of China, which is 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of the Matsu islands and 190 kilometres from Taipei. The maneuvers, according to the regional maritime authorities, will take place around Pingtan, a southeasterly island that is China’s closest point to Taiwan, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

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