TAIPEI (Washington Post) — Chinese military exercises around Taiwan this week as retaliation for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit will create a "sea and air blockade" of the island, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.


In a special news briefing Wednesday, officials from the Ministry of National Defense condemned the planned live-fire exercises set to run from Thursday to Sunday, after Pelosi leaves Taiwan.


"The announced exercises around Taiwan in six regions including the southwest, east and southeast amount to a sea and air blockade," said Capt. Yu Jian-chang of the Department of Legal Affairs.


Defense spokesperson Sun Li-fang said some of the drills will invade Taiwan's territorial waters and threaten international shipping lanes.


"It is an irrational move to challenge the international order, undermine the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and endanger regional security," Sun said.


Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the planned Chinese military exercises were aimed at psychologically intimidating citizens and threatening Taiwan's key ports and cities.


Late Tuesday, after Pelosi touched down in Taiwan, China's official Xinhua News Agency released an announcement from the People's Liberation Army that "important military training operations" and live-ammunition drills would take place this week.


The PLA's Eastern Theater Command also released a statement late Tuesday that military operations around Taiwan were "a serious warning" to those seeking Taiwan independence.

Roles:

Everyone: All Users