FUZHOU, China/TAIPEI - On Saturday, China launched three days of military drills surrounding Taiwan to protest Taiwan President Tsai Ing-meeting wen's with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. House of Representatives, as the island's military minister stated that it would respond peacefully.
The drills, which were announced the day after Tsai returned from the United States, were widely anticipated after the Chinese communist leadership blasted Tsai's meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regards democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has never refrained from using force to seize control of the island. The Taiwanese government fiercely opposes the CCP's assertions.
Beijing's declaration also came only hours after the CCP received key European leaders for a visit.
The Chinese military's Eastern Theatre Command stated it had begun combat readiness patrols and "Joint Sword" drills surrounding Taiwan, after previously stating that they will take place in the Taiwan Strait and to the north, south, and east of Taiwan "as planned."
Taiwan's defense ministry said it was following the situation with caution and will respond accordingly to protect the island's security.
The CCP was using Tsai's visit to the United States "as an excuse to conduct military exercises, which has significantly harmed regional peace, stability, and security," the ministry claimed in a statement.
“The military will respond with a calm, rational, and serious attitude, and will stand guard and monitor in accordance with the principles of ‘not escalating nor disputes’ to defend national sovereignty and national security.”
The ministry said earlier on Saturday that it had seen four Chinese aircraft in Taiwan's air defense zone in the preceding 24 hours, which is not an exceptional amount.
Reuters journalists at a beachside region in Fuzhou, which lies opposite the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands, witnessed a Chinese navy firing rounds towards a drill area off China's coast, as part of drills announced by the Chinese authorities late Friday.
Later on Saturday, Tsai will meet with a visiting US congressional delegation led by Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Tsai has often volunteered to meet with the CCP but has been turned down. She claims that only the people of Taiwan can decide their destiny.
