China announced the organization of military exercises “with live ammunition” yesterday, Saturday, in the Taiwan Strait, in an initiative that precedes a planned visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. However, the maneuvers will be limited geographically and will take place in the immediate vicinity of the Chinese coasts. And the Chinese authorities supervising maritime security announced the organization of the maneuvers off the coast of Pingtan Island in Fujian Province (east), located off Taiwan.
And Pingtan is the closest Chinese region to Taiwan, and the maneuvering area is located regarding 120 kilometers from the Taiwanese coast.
Beijing opposes any initiative that would give the Taiwan authorities international legitimacy and any official communication between Taiwan and other countries, and therefore it opposes Pelosi’s visit. Pelosi may visit her within days. General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that if Pelosi requests “military support, we will do what is necessary to ensure that she does her job properly.” (agencies)
