The tensions between China and Taiwan are flaring up post US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the northwestern Pacific Ocean island, which China claims is a part of its territory. Reports coming out of Taipei suggest that 27 Chinese warplanes have already entered Taiwanese airspace. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had earlier warned of extensive military drills before Pelosi landed in Taipei, and have been carrying out the same. The drills are being conducted all around Taiwan, with the PLA also breaching the median line between the two countries.
Pelosi’s visit marks a very important moment in the already-strained US-China relationship since it is the first time in 25 years that a House of Representatives Speaker has visited Taiwan.
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On August 3, rumours began circulating that the PLA would be launching missile attacks at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. However, since then, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has itself taken to Twitter, squashing such claims:
Taiwan’s defence ministry has also tweeted out the number of and type of each Chinese fighter jet that has invaded its space- six J-11 aircraft, five J-16 and 16 SU-30 aircraft. Here is a look at some of these fighter planes:
Taiwan has itself launched certain countermeasures in case any mishap occurs. A press release by the country’s defence ministry says that it has already dispatched air patrol forces to respond if any attack happens and also to monitor anti-aircraft missiles. It has also issued radio warnings and deployed air defence missile systems.
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Besides the ongoing drills by the PLA, China has also decreed economic measures against Taiwan post Pelosi’s visit. It has stopped the import of certain food items from Taiwan, banned export of natural sand to country, and has also warned mainland institutions to stop working with certain Taiwanese companies which the Xi Jinping government believes are donating money to organizations that support Taiwanese independence.