Apr. 8: China began 3 days of military exercises around Taiwan to express anger at Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. China had criticized the meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory. Taiwan’s government strongly objects to China’s claims.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said China’s Army was monitoring the situation, maintaining a high degree of observation and would respond appropriately to defend the island’s security.
Tsai has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rejected as the government views her as a separatist. She says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
China’s announcement came hours after French President Emmanuel Macron left China, where he met President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders. Macron urged Beijing to talk sense to Russia over the war in Ukraine.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen, also in China this week to meet Xi, said stability in the Taiwan Strait was of major importance. Xi responded by saying that expecting China to compromise on Taiwan was wishful thinking.
