China has conducted a second day of naval operations outside Taiwan. Tensions remain high following President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the United States last week.
The drills, which Beijing has described as a “stern warning” to Taipei, deployed naval and air forces to simulate the island’s encirclement.
On Sunday, Taiwan said dozens of jets by China launched flights over the island, and nine ships also sighted.
Beijing’s operation, nicknamed “Joint Sword,” will go until Monday.
Taiwanese officials already incensed by the operation. On Saturday, defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using Ms Tsai’s visit. During which she met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. As a “excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability, and security in the region.”
Chinese warships around the Island
According to Reuters, one of China’s ships shot a round from its deck as it cruised near Pingtan island. China’s closest point to Taiwan, on Saturday.
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, which administers the Coast Guard, released video footage. In which one of its ships tracking a Chinese warship but did not specify where it was.
In the footage a sailor can be heard telling the Chinese ship through a radio: “You are seriously harming regional peace, stability and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures.”
Other footage showed a Taiwanese warship. The Di Hua, accompanying the Coast Guard ship in what the Coast Guard officer calls a “standoff” with the Chinese vessel.
While the Chinese exercises ended by sundown on Saturday evening. Defence officials in Taipei told Reuters that fighter jet sorties started again early on Sunday morning.
On Sunday, Taiwan’s defence ministry said 71 Chinese military planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the preceding 24 hours.
The line is an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory.
US state department officials have urged China not to overreact to a meeting. Which took place in California, and have called for “restraint and no change to the status quo”.
A state department spokesperson said the US was “monitoring Beijing’s actions closely” and insisted the US had “sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security commitments”.
The US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but it is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.