Biden 'concerned' as China expands military exercises around Taiwan

TAIPEI — Chinese forces launched Monday in the waters and airspace around Taiwan. announced new military exercises. A day after the planned end of the largest exercise in history to protest last week's visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China's Eastern Theater Command said it would conduct joint exercises focused on anti-submarine and maritime strike operations, with some security analysts and diplomats , confirmed that the Chinese government is concerned that it will continue to pressure Taiwan's military actions. defense.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, saying China, which claims the autonomous islands as its own, was deliberately creating a crisis. He called on Beijing to cease military action and "back off the edge".

"In the face of China's military threat, Taiwan will neither fear nor retreat, and will more resolutely defend its sovereignty, national security, and free and democratic way of life." said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. statement.

"I'm concerned that they're running the same way they've always been," Biden told reporters in Delaware. "But I don't think they are going to do much more."

Mr. Pelosi's visit infuriated China, which for the first time test-launched a ballistic missile over Taipei and Washington. abandoned part of the dialogue with

The duration and exact location of the latest exercise are not yet known, but Taiwan has already eased flight restrictions near six former Chinese exercise areas surrounding the island.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense Later, Chinese Air Force aircraft 39 in and around the Taiwan Strait on Monday. announced the discovery of 13 aircraft and naval vessels. According to the ministry, 21 Chinese Air Force aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense area, including fighters that crossed the median line in the northern Taiwan Strait.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned of possible miscalculations over tensions in the Taiwan Strait. He said tensions were unlikely to ease any time soon amid deep suspicion and limited engagement with the United States. China.

"A storm is brewing all around us. Sino-U.S. relations are deteriorating, with intractable problems, deep suspicions and limits to engagement," Li said. said in a televised speech on the eve of the nation's National Day.

'Deeply moved'

Shortly before the announcement of the latest exercise, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves during his visit to St. said he was moved by the training of Determined to visit despite Chinese military pressure.

"Prime Minister Gonzalves recently stated that China's military exercises do not prevent him from visiting friends in Taiwan. These statements deeply moved us.

The Caribbean nation is one of dozens of countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, not China. is one.

It was unclear whether Tsai invited Gonzalves before or after Pelosi's visit. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters that it "does not disclose internal plans or communications between governments."

During the four-day exercise, he fired 11 short-range ballistic missiles before Chinese warships, fighter jets and drones maneuvered extensively around the island.

Shortly before the exercises ended on Sunday, about 10 warships each from China and Taiwan landed in the unofficial center of the Taiwan Strait, according to a person familiar with the situation. They were fighting close quarters around the line. Who is involved in security planning?

A commentator on Chinese state television said late Sunday that the Chinese military would now conduct "regular" drills on the Taiwanese side.

Military talks shelved

In Taipei, defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang told reporters that Taiwan's military had handled China's exercises "calmly." . Earlier, the ministry said the drill used warships, aircraft and drones to simulate an attack on the island and its navy.

The intersection of China's designated no-fly zone and the center line is "compressing" Taiwan's training space and will affect the normal operation of future international flights and air routes, the ministry said in a statement.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China is conducting regular military exercises "in its own waters" in an open, transparent and professional manner. , added that Taiwan is part of China.

When asked whether China's ongoing exercises comply with international law and whether new warnings will be issued against civilian air and sea traffic, Wang said: said the relevant departments made timely announcements in line with both domestic and international law.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Defense maintained diplomatic pressure on the United States, defending the shelving of military-to-military talks in protest of Pelosi's visit.

"The current tense situation in the Taiwan Strait was entirely provoked and created by the United States on its own initiative, and the United States must bear full responsibility and serious consequences for this. said defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian. by posting online.

"Conclusions cannot be broken, and communication requires honesty," said Wu.

China canceled formal talks on Friday, including theater-level command, defense policy coordination and military-maritime talks, as Pelosi left the region.

Pentagon, State and White House officials condemned the move, calling it an irresponsible overreaction.