Photo: Xinhua via Getty
China’s Ambassador to the U.S. was summoned to the White House Thursday after his country conducted military activities near Taiwan following House SpeakerNancy Pelosi’sdefiant visitthis week to the self-governing island that China considers its territory.
According to a Chinese state broadcaster, the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army engaged in long-range, live-fire exercises and “precision strikes” on eastern parts of the Taiwan Strait,The Washington Postreported. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the 11 missiles hit waters off the island’s northeastern and southwestern coasts on Thursday afternoon.
On Wednesday night, Chinese naval ships and planes also conducted drills in waters around Taiwan, crossing the halfway point between the island and mainland China known as the median line, Taiwan’s defense ministry said, calling it a “highly provocative act,“CNN reported.
Xinhua via Getty
In summoning the Chinese ambassador to condemn through diplomatic channels the military actions, the White House also told Qin that the U.S. hopes to continue communications and reiterated that U.S. policy on China and Taiwan has not changed.
America’s long-standingOne China Policyrecognizes Beijing as the only legitimate government of China.
Nancy Pelositouched down in Taipei Tuesday and met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen the next day as part of herdefiant visitto the island.
China’s strong objection to the House speaker’s trip, which made her the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan in a quarter century, came with warnings andignited concernsamong the American military as well as inside PresidentJoe Biden’s White House.
“Our discussions with Taiwan leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Pelosi said in a statement released after her arrival in Taipei. “America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.”
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Pelosi went ahead with the trip despite warnings from Chinese officials, including Foreign Ministry spokespersonZhao Lijiang, who said lastweek: “If the U.S. side insists on making the visit and challenges China’s red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures. The U.S. must assume full responsibility for any serious consequence arising thereof.”
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“These are extremely irresponsible, provocative and dangerous moves.”
source: people.com
