Chinese military helicopter flies over tourists past Pingtan island, one of mainland China's closest points from Taiwan, in Fujian province on Aug 4, 2022, ahead of massive military drills off Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the self-ruled island.
photo: AFP
Despite the expiry of the previously announced date, the Chinese army's maneuvers continue in the waters surrounding Taiwan, although their scheduled end date is Sunday.
The Chinese Army's Eastern Combat District Command continues its exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, although it was supposed to end on Sunday, the main focus is now on carrying out "joint siege" and "joint defense" operations, according to a statement.
"The Eastern Combat Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) continued to organize joint military exercises in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island on August 9, focusing on organizing joint blockade and joint defense operations," Beijing said in a statement.
On the other hand, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu confirmed Tuesday that Beijing is using air and sea maneuvers around the island to prepare for its invasion and change the status quo in the Indo-Atlantic region.
"China used maneuvers and military plans to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," Wu said at a press conference in Taipei, adding that "China's real intention is to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the entire region."
"It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyberattacks, a disinformation campaign, and economic pressure to demoralize Taiwan," he added.
The Chinese army had organized large-scale exercises using missiles, aircraft, and warships in response to the visit of the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island.
The exercises began on August 4 in 6 areas in the waters around the island and were supposed to end at noon on August 7, but they continued.
Beijing did not say when the exercises around the island would end, while the Chinese government's Global Times quoted analysts on Monday that the Chinese military drills near Taiwan will become routine and will not stop until the island and mainland China are reunited.