Taiwan says China simulating attack on main island in drills

TAIWAN said China’s military drills on Saturday (Aug 6) appeared to be simulating an attack on its main island, as Chinese warplanes and warships crossed the strait’s median line in a continued show of force.

The Taiwanese army responded by issuing radio warnings, sending air patrols and naval ships, and deploying land-base missile systems, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

China is carrying out its most provocative military drills in decades in the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan this week. It has also likely fired missiles over the island of 23 million people, sent warships across the Taiwan Strait’s median line and waves of warplanes across the US-defined boundary.

The Taiwanese Maritime & Port Bureau on Thursday told ships to avoid designated areas around the island until Aug 8 in waters to the east of the island.

Beijing  has denounced the visit by Pelosi - second in the presidential line of succession - as a violation of the US pledge 50 years ago not to formally recognise the government of Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. It announced on Friday it would cut off defence talks with the US. BLOOMBERG