Advertisement

China-Taiwan news – live: Top Taiwan official found dead as China accused of attack simulation

A top Taiwanese defence ministry official was found dead on Saturday as the self-governing territory accused China of carrying out a “simulated attack” with the country’s warships and planes conducting missions in the Taiwan Strait.

Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of the Taiwan defence ministry’s research and development unit, died from a heart attack on Saturday in his hotel room, reported state media.

The room had no signs of ‘intrusion’ and his family had a history of heart disease, said the official Central News Agency.

Meanwhile, the defence ministry tweeted on Saturday that multiple Chinese craft conducted missions in the Taiwan Strait, with some crossing the median line which is an unofficial buffer separating the two sides in what it sees as a “possible simulated attack.”

The developments come as Beijing continues its military offensive as it fired multiple ballistic missiles in the direction of Taiwan, four of which flew directly over the capital city Taipei.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken slammed China’s military exercises, saying there was no justification for Beijing’s “extreme disproportionate and escalatory” response.

The statement came as Ms Pelosi reasserted America’s support for Taiwan, saying that China will not be able to isolate the island by preventing US officials from travelling there.

Key points

  • China halts cooperation with US on climate change and suspends military dialogue

  • China fires ballistic missiles directly over Taipei in major escalation

  • China sanctions US House speaker Nancy Pelosi

  • No justification for China’s ‘extreme disproportionate and escalatory’ response, says Blinken

  • Pelosi: Asian trip ‘is not about changing the status quo in Taiwan’

  • China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing US officials from travelling there, says Pelosi

  • Kishida: China’s military exercise aimed at Taiwan ‘grave problem’ threatening regional peace

How powerful are China’s Dongfeng missiles?

Thursday 4 August 2022 14:05 , Joe Sommerlad

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has accused China of firing 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters to the northeast and southwest of the island as part of aggressive military drills intended as an intimidating show of force.

Tensions in the region have escalated considerably following a visit to Taiwan this week by Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, third in line to the presidency and the most senior American politician to visit the country in 25 years.

Beijing urged Ms Pelosi not to pay her respects to a territory that has its own democratic political system, constitution and military but which China considers its own, warning that the trip amounted to “playing with fire”.

After she brushed off those threats and arrived in Taipei, the superpower ordered five days of live-fire exercises and warned that regional conflict could become inevitable, ratcheting up tensions with the self-governing republic to their highest levels since 1996.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said its armed forces had used early warning, surveillance and reconnaissance systems to monitor the Dongfeng (or, DF) rockets and condemned China’s “irrational actions undermining regional peace”.

Read more:

How powerful are China’s Dongfeng missiles?

China launches missiles into Japan’s exclusive economic zone, says minister

Thursday 4 August 2022 14:20 , Gustaf Kilander

China has launched five ballistic missiles into the waters that Japan considers to be its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Japanese defence minister says, adding that this is the first time such an incident has ever taken place.

Nobuo Kishi said Japan had lodged a protest via diplomatic routes.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is due to travel to Japan after visiting Taiwan and South Korea.

It was her trip to Taiwan that infuriated China and led Beijing to launch military exercises around Taiwan, in what could be the biggest of their kind since the mid-1990s.

The five missiles that landed in Japanese territory were from those exercises, the Japan Times said.

“This is a grave issue that concerns our country’s national security and people’s safety,” Kishi told a hastily organised news conference.

Read more:

China launches missiles into Japan’s exclusive economic zone, says minister

Japanese Ministry of Defense says China launched nine missiles towards their territory

Thursday 4 August 2022 14:35 , Graig Graziosi

The Japanese Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Thursday claiming that China had fired nine missiles, including five that landed in its economic exclusion zone. Four others landed outside its waters.

The Japanese government has condemned China’s actions, which come as a result of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defends China’s reaction to Pelosi trip

Thursday 4 August 2022 15:11 , Graig Graziosi

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, told reporters that China’s reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan — which included holding military drills and lobbing missiles around the Taiwan Strait — was within the nation’s rights.

“This is China’s sovereign right,” Mr Peskov said. “The tension in the region and around Taiwan was provoked… by the visit of Nancy Pelosi. It was an absolutely unnecessary visit and an unnecessary provocation.”

Japanese Ministry of Defense believes some Chinese missiles were shot over Taiwan

Thursday 4 August 2022 15:37 , Graig Graziosi

The Japanese Ministry of Defense released a map showing what it believes are the trajectories of nine Chinese missiles fired in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Five of the missiles landed in Japan’s economic exclusion zone, but the map also suggests that several missiles were shot over the island of Taiwan, and more specifically, over its capital city, Taipei.

Both Taiwan and Japan have denounced China’s reaction to Ms Pelosi’s visit.

Taiwan defense officials say Chinese jets passed the Taiwan Strait ‘median line’

Thursday 4 August 2022 16:31 , Graig Graziosi

Defense officials in Taipei, Taiwan have accused China of sending jets over the “median line” in the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial border between China and Taiwan.

On Wednesday, 22 jets buzzed over the line, and another 22 did so on Thursday.

Defense officials in Taipei said they planned to ramp up their air defenses in response.

NSC Spokesman Admiral John Kirby says US watching Chinese drills ‘very closely'

Thursday 4 August 2022 17:24 , Graig Graziosi

National Security Council spokesman Admiral John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that the US was monitoring China’s live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait “very, very closely.”

China began holding the live-fire drills as a way to voice its displeasure with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Mr Kirby laid the blame for the heightened tensions at China’s feet.

“The provocateur here is Beijing. They didn’t have to react this way to what is completely normal travel by congressional members to Taiwan...The Chinese are the ones who are escalating this,” he said.

Taiwanese officials warn citizens not to travel to China unless ‘absolutely necessary’ following activists’ arrest

Thursday 4 August 2022 18:14 , Graig Graziosi

Officials in Taiwan have warned citizens not to travel to China unless “absolutely necessary” after Taiwanese pro-democracy advocate Yang Chih-yuan was arrested by Chinese authorities for “sepratism.”

He was arrested and charged on 3 August.

Taiwanese officials fear other citizens may be targetted under similar charges if they visit China.

Biden admin delays routine missile test launch to avoid escalating tensions with China

Thursday 4 August 2022 18:44 , Graig Graziosi

The Biden administration has reportedly delayed a routine test launch of a ballistic missile in California in order to avoid escalating tensions with China.

Beijing has been holding live fire drills in the Taiwan Strait in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

A defense official spoke to the Wall Street Journal about the delay.

“This is a long-planned test but it is being postponed to remove any misunderstandings given the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] actions around Taiwan,” the official told the paper.

Officials said the delay could last for up to 10 days.

Russian politician said it would have been ‘good’ if China had shot down Nancy Pelosi’s plane

Thursday 4 August 2022 19:39 , Graig Graziosi

Russian politician and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thought it would have been “good” if China had shot down House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s plane ahead of her visit to Taiwan.

Aleksey Zhuravlyov, a Duma member and the head of the nationalist Rodina party, appeared on Russian state TV, where he said that shooting down Ms Pelosi’s plane would have opened a “second front” for Mr Putin’s war efforts.

“It would be important for us if this plane was either squeezed out [intercepted] or was shot down,” he said. “For us, opening a second front is good. No matter how the situation with the island [Taiwan] develops, we will anyway win. The whole world understands that the only country which can resist the U.S. is Russia.”

Nancy Pelosi visits demilitarised zone at the border of North and South Korea

Thursday 4 August 2022 20:10 , Graig Graziosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the demilitarised zone, which sits along the border of North Korea and South Korea, along with a congressional delegation on Thursday.

“It was a privilege to engage with American heroes in uniform on the ground in Korea, led by General Paul LaCamera, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea. During visits to the Demilitarized Zone/Joint Security Area (DMZ/JSA) and Osan Air Base, we conveyed the gratitude of the Congress and the Country for the patriotic service of our Servicemembers, who stand as sentinels of Democracy on the Korean peninsula,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement.

Her trip to the DMZ comes on the heels of her visit to Taiwan, which infuriated China. Beijing responded by engaging in live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait.

Flights from South Korea to Taiwan cancelled after China continues live-fire drills

Thursday 4 August 2022 20:29 , Graig Graziosi

Reports coming out of South Korean media suggest that Korea Air has cancelled flights between that country and Taiwan due to China’s live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait.

Korean Air has reportedly cancelled flights between the city of Incheon and Taiwan for Friday and Saturday.

Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority said it also rerouted flights to avoid the Taiwan Strait due to China’s drills.

NSC spokesman Admiral John Kirby says USS Ronald Regan will stay in western Pacific as China runs live-fire drills

Thursday 4 August 2022 21:00 , Graig Graziosi

NSC spokesman Admiral John Kirby told reporters Thursday that USS Ronald Regan, a US Navy aircraft carrier, will remain in the western Pacific as China runs live-fire drills in the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

China engaged in live-fire drills on Wednesday and Thursday, some of which flew over Taipei and landed in Japanese waters.

Taiwan used flares and scrambled jets to ward off Chinese drones

Thursday 4 August 2022 21:25 , Graig Graziosi

Reports from Taiwan suggest its defense officials scrambled jets and fired off flares to ward off Chinese drones flying near the island.

Taiwanese officials said four drones were operating near the island, and that at one point on Thursday 22 Chinese jets crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait before turning around.

NSC spokesman Admiral John Kirby says US expects Chinese to continue ‘provocative military activity'

Thursday 4 August 2022 21:45 , Graig Graziosi

National Security Council spokesman Admiral John Kirby said the US expects that China will continue aggressive military shows of force in reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.

“China has chosen to overreact and use the Speaker’s visit as a pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait,” Mr Kirby said during a briefing at the White House. “We also expect that these actions will continue.”

It’s unclear what specifically what actions the US expects China to take in the coming days.

Chinese military official calls US ‘saboteur of peace’ in fiery tweets

Thursday 4 August 2022 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese military, condemned the US and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday, calling the US the “biggest saboteur of peace” on the planet.

“Pelosi’s stunt is another bankruptcy of US politics, diplomacy and credibility. It proves the US to be the biggest saboteur of peace and the biggest troublemaker to regional stability,” she wrote.

Editorial: Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan was ill-advised at a precarious time for the world

Thursday 4 August 2022 22:38 , Josh Marcus

If Nancy Pelosi went to Taiwan with the aim of making its people feel more secure, then her visit may be judged to have enjoyed mixed results at best.

It was a rare visit and president Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan was no doubt delighted to greet Speaker Pelosi, technically second only to vice-president Kamala Harris in seniority. But it is not obvious the visit enjoyed support from the White House, or signalled any substantial new commitment of American resources to the defence of Taiwan.

Ms Pelosi, in other words, was engaged in gesture politics, albeit of a lofty kind, and the gesture was taken to be an exceptionally rude one in Beijing, which has chosen to ignore the nuances of how far Speaker Pelosi was acting with the authority of President Biden.

There are few issues more likely to send Chinese officialdom into paroxysms of rage than Taiwan, and Speaker Pelosi must have known this. A politician of unusual strength of mind, she has a long record in defending the universal human rights of the Chinese people against their authoritarian government. Moreover, she has plenty of experience in understanding the diplomatic sensitivities involved in such an initiative as her official trip.

Read more from The Independent’s editorial about the controversial trip.

Editorial: Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan was ill-advised at this precarious time

How the potential next UK prime minister would handle Taiwan

Thursday 4 August 2022 22:58 , Josh Marcus

Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss has said that she will not visit Taiwan if she is elected prime minister and leader of the Conservative party.

The foreign secretary’s comments came after China fired missiles in military drills following a visit from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, 3 August.

“We have a long standing position that the foreign secretary, the Ministry of Defence and the prime minister don’t visit Taiwan,” Ms Truss said during a Sky News debate on Thursday.

More from Independent TV.

Tory leadership: Liz Truss says she will not visit Taiwan if elected prime minister

South Korean president ditches Pelosi meeting for ‘staycation'

Thursday 4 August 2022 23:12 , Josh Marcus

South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol didn’t meet with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she arrived in the country for the next leg of her Asian tour.

Instead, the head of state was on what’s been dubbed a “staycation.”

He was spotted on Wednesday evening attending a theater performance in Seoul and hobnobbing over dinner and drinks with the actors.

His office has said the holiday was planned before Ms Pelosi’s agenda went public.

“I have received questions about whether the president avoided meeting with the House speaker because he was wary of China,” his spokesperson told The Washington Post. “All these things are decided based on a thorough consideration of our country’s national interest.”

The two spoke by phone instead.

Some in the country have been critical of the perceived snub.

“Yoon’s avoidance of Pelosi meeting may send wrong signals to the U.S. and China,” the Chosun Ilbo newspaper argued in an editorial, warning of a “submissive attitude” towards Xi Jinping .

Chinese military drills shake up the region

Thursday 4 August 2022 23:38 , Josh Marcus

China fired ballistic missiles during unprecedented military drills around Taiwan on Thursday, in response to Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taipei, the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as its sovereign territory.

China fires ballistic missiles into Taiwan Strait as fury over Pelosi visit grows

Taiwanese officials condemned the excercises as “irresponsible, illegitimate behaviour”, and cancelled flights to China.

Taiwan cancels flights as China holds military drills

Tucker Carlson mocked for saying ‘US has never been less ready for war’

Thursday 4 August 2022 23:58 , Josh Marcus

Between Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan trip and the US strike on Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, questions and analysis about the US military’s tactics are on the minds of many. Including Tucker Carlson.

The Fox News host went on a tirade earlier this week blasting the military readiness of the US on the same day that President Joe Biden announced that the leader of Al-Qaeda had been killed.

On Monday night, Mr Carlson also laced into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who landed in Taiwan on the following day along with fellow Democratic lawmakers for a trip that has been criticized for ratcheting up tensions with China. China notably considers the island part of its own territory.

“Nancy Pelosi ... has no understanding of what she is doing or what might happen if she does it”, Mr Carlson said ahead of Ms Pelosi’s trip. “No one wants to say it out loud, but the truth is, she can’t know because, like Kamala Harris, she’s never even been in a bar fight. She has no understanding of violence or its consequences and there are consequences, including the potential deaths of millions of people.”

Tucker Carlson says ‘US has never been less ready for war’ as Biden strikes Al Qaeda

Chinese ambassador to US slams Pelosi trip in Washington Post op-ed

Friday 5 August 2022 00:22 , Josh Marcus

Qin Gang, the Chinese ambassador to the US, voice his frustration with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan trip in a scathing op-ed published Thursday in The Washington Post.

In the piece, he argued the US and the international community have long recognised China as the sole representative of Taiwan. Ms Pelosi’s trip, he said, shattered an unsteady peace.

“These are extremely irresponsible, provocative and dangerous moves,” he wrote. “The one-China principle is part of the postwar international order and has become a general international consensus. As a country that thinks of itself as a champion of the ‘rules-based international order,’ the United States should naturally abide by the one-China principle.”

Read the full piece via the Post.

Why did Pelosi visit the DMZ?

Friday 5 August 2022 00:52 , Josh Marcus

As if the tension wasn’t high enough, Nancy Pelosi visited the heavily fortified, 160-mile Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea on Thursday with members of a congressional delegation.

“It was a privilege to engage with American heroes in uniform on the ground in Korea, led by General Paul LaCamera, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea. During visits to the Demilitarized Zone/Joint Security Area (DMZ/JSA) and Osan Air Base, we conveyed the gratitude of the Congress and the Country for the patriotic service of our Servicemembers, who stand as sentinels of Democracy on the Korean peninsula,” she wrote in a statement afterwards.

The visit, as well as Ms Pelosi’s meeting with South Korean leaders, reinforced the US’s role as a nuclear deterent on the Korean peninsula.

“The United States and South Korea share a strong bond formed for security and forged by decades of warm friendship. Our Congressional delegation traveled to Seoul to reaffirm our treasured ties and our shared commitment to advancing security and stability, economic growth and democratic governance,” the House Speaker said of her visit.

Another high-profile foreign trip—to the US

Friday 5 August 2022 01:12 , Josh Marcus

Nancy Pelosi isn’t the only leader on a controversial foreign tour.

A little over a week ago, Hungary’s prime minister delivered a speech about immigration in which he declared that Europeans “do not want to become peoples of mixed-race.”

The comments by Viktor Orban, the 59-year-old far-right leader, prompted outrage in his own country and across Europe for their explicit racism, and led to the resignation of his close adviser of 20 years, who described the speech as “pure Nazi text.”

But Mr Orban’s use of white supremacist rhetoric did little to dampen the enthusiasm of American conservatives for his visit to the United States this week.

The prime minister was pictured smiling alongside Donald Trump at his Bedminster golf resort on Tuesday. After the meeting, the former president released a statement in which he described Mr Orban as a “friend,” adding: “few people know as much about what is going on in the world today.”

Richard Hall with the full story.

Fresh from furore over ‘Nazi’ speech, Viktor Orban receives rousing welcome at CPAC

Nancy Pelosi arrives in Japan

Friday 5 August 2022 01:32 , Josh Marcus

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Japan on Thursday evening for the final leg of her Asia tour.

Her plane taxied in at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo around 10pm.

Ms Pelosi is scheduled to meet with the Speaker of Japan’s Lower House, Hosoda Hiroyuki, during her visit.

She will also have breakfast on Friday with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the US-Japan alliance.

Japan has protested China’s military excercises near Taiwan, which came as the US official visited the contested island nation earlier this week.

Photos and videos capture Nancy Pelosi arriving in Japan

Friday 5 August 2022 02:00 , Josh Marcus

Nancy Pelosi arrived in Japan on Thursday evening.

She was greated by a delegation including US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and Ricky Rupp, the commander of US forces in Japan.

Here’s what the scene looked like on the ground.

South Korean president misses Pelosi meeting for staycation

Friday 5 August 2022 03:00 , Josh Marcus

Nancy Pelosi’s much-watched Asia tour has included a run of high-profile meetings: conversations with the prime ministers of Singapore and Malaysia; a meeting with the president of Taiwan; and a likely dialogue with the prime minister of Japan by the end of the week.

Missing from that list is the president of South Korea, who missed an in-person get together with the House Speaker as he takes a staycation in Seoul.

Ms Pelosi arrived in South Korea on Wednesday evening. At the time Yoon Suk-yeol was in north Seoul attending a theater performance, grabbing selfies and dinner with the cast of a comedy about a subway station worker.

Mr Yoon’s office has explained he was unavailable to meet in person with the US leader.

Here’s our full story on the snub.

South Korean president misses Pelosi meeting for staycation

China’s Dongfeng missiles take center stage amid Taiwan tensions

Friday 5 August 2022 04:00 , Josh Marcus

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has accused China of firing 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters to the northeast and southwest of the island as part of aggressive military drills intended as an intimidating show of force.

Tensions in the region have escalated considerably following a visit to Taiwan this week by Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, third in line to the presidency and the most senior American politician to visit the country in 25 years.

Beijing urged Ms Pelosi not to pay her respects to a territory that has its own democratic political system, constitution and military but which China considers its own, warning that the trip amounted to “playing with fire”.

After she brushed off those threats and arrived in Taipei, the superpower ordered five days of live-fire exercises and warned that regional conflict could become inevitable, ratcheting up tensions with the self-governing republic to their highest levels since 1996.

Joe Sommerlad with the full story.

How powerful are China’s Dongfeng missiles?

Pelosi: Asian trip ‘is not about changing the status quo in Taiwan’

Friday 5 August 2022 04:30 , Namita Singh

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that the trip to Asia was never “about changing the status quo in Taiwan or the region”. She made the comments after meeting Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida.

Ms Pelosi, who became the highest-level US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, had praised its democracy and pledged solidarity, enraging China. It prompted the infuriated neighbour to hold live-fire military drills in the waters off Taiwan.

Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida and US house speaker Nancy Pelosi pose for a photo session at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via)
Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida and US house speaker Nancy Pelosi pose for a photo session at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via)

China’s state broadcaster said the military exercises that began yesterday and are set to end on Sunday, would be the largest conducted by China in the Taiwan Strait. The exercises have involved live fire on the waters and in the airspace around the island.

Five missiles landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prompting Tokyo to lodge a strong protest through diplomatic channels.

One of Washington’s closest allies, Tokyo has been increasingly alarmed about China’s growing might in the Indo-Pacific and the possibility that Beijing could take military action against Taiwan.

Chinese ambassador issues chilling warning to Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 05:00 , Josh Marcus

A senior Chinese diplomat has issued a chilling warning to Taiwan not to assert its independence anymore, lest it have China “re-educate” the breakaway territory.

Read the full story, only from Independent Premium.

Beijing will ‘re-educate’ Taiwan if it takes over island, Chinese ambassador warns

China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing US officials from travelling there, says Pelosi

Friday 5 August 2022 05:06 , Namita Singh

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing US officials from travelling there.

She made the remarks in Tokyo, the final leg of an Asia tour highlighted by a visit to Taiwan that infuriated China.

Ms Pelosi, the first House speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years, said Wednesday in Taipei that the US commitment to democracy in the self-governing island and elsewhere “remains ironclad”.

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi shakes hands with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida during a meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via)
US House speaker Nancy Pelosi shakes hands with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida during a meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via)

The House speaker and five other members of Congress arrived in Tokyo late Thursday after visiting Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea.

Kishida: China’s military exercise aimed at Taiwan ‘grave problem’ threatening regional peace

Friday 5 August 2022 05:13 , Namita Singh

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that China’s military exercises aimed at Taiwan represent a “grave problem” that threatens regional peace and security after five ballistic missiles launched as part of the drills landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Mr Kishida, speaking after breakfast with US House speaker Nancy Pelosi and her congressional delegation, said the missile launches need to be “stopped immediately.”

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida speaks to the media after a meeting with US House speaker Nancy Pelosi at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida speaks to the media after a meeting with US House speaker Nancy Pelosi at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

China, which claims Taiwan and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary, called Ms Pelosi’s visit earlier this week to the self-ruled island a provocation and on Thursday began military exercises, including missile strike training, in six zones surrounding Taiwan, in what could be its biggest since the mid-1990s.

Japanese defence minister Nobuo Kishi said five missiles landed on Thursday in Japan’s exclusive economic zone off Hateruma, an island far south of Japan’s main islands. He said Japan protested to China, saying the missiles “threatened Japan’s national security and the lives of the Japanese people, which we strongly condemn.”

China conducts ‘precision missile strikes’ in Taiwan Strait

Friday 5 August 2022 05:40 , Namita Singh

China conducted “precision missile strikes” yesterday in waters off Taiwan’s coasts as part of military exercises that have raised tensions in the region to their highest level in decades following a visit by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China earlier announced that military exercises by its navy, air force and other departments were underway in six zones surrounding Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

The drills are intended to advertise China’s threat to attack the self-governing island republic. Along with its moves to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, China has long threatened military retaliation over moves by the island to solidify its de facto independence with the support of key allies including the US.

A French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet takes off at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet takes off at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

China fired long-range explosive projectiles, the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, the ruling Communist Party’s military wing, said in a statement. It also said it carried out multiple conventional missile launches in three different areas in the eastern waters off Taiwan.

An accompanying graphic on state broadcaster CCTV showed those that occurred in the north, east, and south.“All missiles hit the target accurately,” the Eastern Theater said in its announcement. No further details were given.

US National Security Council spokesperson condemn military activity surrounding Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 05:42 , Namita Singh

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby condemned the launches and military activity surrounding Taiwan.

“China has chosen to overreact and use the speaker’s visit as a pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait,” he said yesterday.

John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, 4 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, 4 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

We will not be deterred from operating in the seas and the skies of the Western Pacific consistent with international law, as we have for decades supporting Taiwan and defending a free and open Indo-Pacific.

John Kirby

Taiwanese president criticises China’s military drill: ‘Violated our sovereignty’

Friday 5 August 2022 05:57 , Namita Singh

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen criticized the drills in a public video address, saying China “destroyed the status quo and violated our sovereignty” with its “irresponsible actions.”

She urged China to be “reasonable and restrained.”

Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi speaks alongside Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen, right, at the president’s office on 3 August 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan (Getty Images)
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi speaks alongside Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen, right, at the president’s office on 3 August 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan (Getty Images)

We are calm and not impulsive, we are reasonable and not provocative. But we will also be firm and not back down.

Tsai Ing-wen

The president said Taiwan is in communication with its allies to ensure that things do not escalate further.

China’s ‘irrational behavior’ intends to alter status quo, says Taiwan’s defence military

Friday 5 August 2022 06:00 , Namita Singh

China’s “irrational behavior” intends to alter the status quo and disrupt regional peace and stability, said Taiwan’s defence ministry.

It added that their forces are on alert and monitoring the situation, while seeking to avoid escalating tensions. Civil defense drills were held last week and notices were placed on designated air raid shelters months ago.

“The three service branches will combine efforts with all the people to jointly safeguard national security and territorial integrity” while adapting to the situation as it develops, the statement said.

Three French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Three French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

The ministry said it tracked the firing of Chinese Dongfeng series missiles beginning around 1.56pm yesterday. It said in a statement it used various early warning surveillance systems to track the missile launches. It later said it counted 11 Dongfeng missiles in the waters in the north, east and south.

The ministry also said it tracked long-distance rockets and ammunition firing in outlying islands in Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.

China’s joint military operations focused on ‘blockade, sea target assault, strike on ground targets’

Friday 5 August 2022 06:07 , Namita Singh

China’s official Xinhua news agency reported the military exercises were joint operations focused on “blockade, sea target assault, strike on ground targets, and airspace control.”

Ma Chen-kun, a professor at Taiwan’s National Defense University, said the drills were aimed at showing off the Chinese military’s ability to deploy precision weapons to cut off Taiwan’s links with the outside and facilitate the landing of troops.

The announced drills are “more complete” than previous exercises, he said.

“If the People’s Liberation Army actually invades Taiwan in an all-out invasion, the concrete actions it will take, it’s all in this particular exercise,” Mr Ma said.

“The main thing is they will cut off Taiwan’s links to the outside world, from their sea, they would suppress the coastal defence firepower,” he said.

‘We’re all one family’: Taiwan residents go about regular business amid escalated tension with China

Friday 5 August 2022 06:22 , Namita Singh

Amid the escalated tension over China’s military activity surrounding Taiwan, the mood in the island state was calm.In Keelung, a city on the northern coast of Taiwan and close to two of the announced drill areas, swimmers took their morning laps in a natural pool built in the ocean.

Lu Chuan-hsiong, 63, was enjoying his morning swim, saying he wasn’t worried. “Because Taiwanese and Chinese, we’re all one family. There’s a lot of mainlanders here, too,” he said.

“Everyone should want money, not bullets,” he quipped, saying the economy wasn’t doing so well.

Tourists visit a scenic area on Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Tourists visit a scenic area on Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Those who have to work on the ocean were more concerned. Fishermen are likely to be the most affected by the drills, which cover six different areas surrounding Taiwan, part of which come into the island’s territorial waters.

Most fishermen will continue to try to fish, as it is the season for squid.“It’s very close. This will definitely impact us, but if they want to do this, what can we do? We can just avoid that area,” said Chou Ting-tai, who owns a fishing vessel.

US calls China reaction to Pelosi’s visit ‘flagrantly provocative’

Friday 5 August 2022 06:25 , Namita Singh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told an Asian meeting of top diplomats today that China’s reaction to US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was “flagrantly provocative”, a western official said.

Mr Blinken, speaking at the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, said China had sought to intimidate not only Taiwan, but neighbours too, after it launched the largest-ever military drills in the Taiwan Strait, the official said.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken looks on at the East Asia Summit foreign ministers meeting during the 55th Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken looks on at the East Asia Summit foreign ministers meeting during the 55th Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

China summons European diplomats over statement on Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 06:44 , Namita Singh

China says it summoned European diplomats in the country to protest statements issued by the Group of Seven nations and the European Union criticizing threatening Chinese military exercises surrounding Taiwan.

The foreign ministry today said vice minister Deng Li made “solemn representations” over what he called “wanton interference in China’s internal affairs.”

A French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet taxis on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet taxis on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

China has dispatched navy ships and warplanes and launched missiles into the Taiwan Strait in response to a visit this week by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which China regards as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

Asean slams progress on Myanmar peace plan at talks overshadowed by Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 06:59 , Namita Singh

Southeast Asia’s regional bloc Asean is “deeply disappointed” by the limited progress made by Myanmar’s military rulers in implementing a peace agreement to end the conflict in the country, a communique issued by its foreign ministers said.

The communique was issued today and comes as Asean chair Cambodia hosts a broader international gathering, including counterparts from the United States, China, Russia, Japan, Britain and Australia.

The gathering has been overshadowed by tensions over developments around Taiwan following US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s solidarity trip to self-ruled the island this week, which has infuriated Beijing.

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi (L), Japans foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (2nd L), New Zealand’s foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta (3rd L), South Koreas foreign minister Park Jin (4th L), Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (C) and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (R) attend the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting during the 55th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov walked out of a plenary meeting today when their Japanese counterpart spoke, a person in the room said.

Mr Wang had cancelled a meeting with Japan’s Yoshimasa Hayashi in Cambodia yesterday, with China citing displeasure over a G7 statement urging it to resolve tension over Taiwan peacefully.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations had warned of the risk of miscalculations in the Taiwan Strait and “serious confrontation” among major powers, though today’s communique did not mention Taiwan.

The communique did, however, bring up Myanmar’s crisis since last year’s coup and recommended that an Asean summit in November assess progress by the junta in implementing the peace plan “to guide the decision on the next steps”.

“We extensively discussed the recent developments in Myanmar and expressed our concerns over the prolonged political crisis ... including the execution of four opposition activists,” the communique said.

China’s military exercise disrupt key shipping lanes

Friday 5 August 2022 07:14 , Namita Singh

China’s military exercises in the waters around Taiwan have prompted some ships to navigate around the Taiwan Strait and give the island a wide berth, disrupting key trading routes for cargo and commodities sailing around the world, analysts said.

Angered by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China yesterday began four days of military drills around the disputed island, including firing live missiles and deploying fighter jets.

Although Taiwan’s ports are operating as normal, some cargo ships and oil tankers are re-routing around the island to avoid confrontation with the Chinese military, adding around half a day to voyages, analysts and ship owners said.

Tourist look up as a Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Tourist look up as a Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

It is a reminder of the severe impact a conflict over Taiwan could have on global trade given the 180km wide (110-mile) Taiwan Strait and a shipping lane to the island’s east are major routes for ships transporting goods from East Asia to the US and Europe.

“Some ships have already taken precautions and are proceeding east of the island instead of through the Taiwan Strait,” said Niels Rasmussen, chief analyst at shipowner association Bimco.

Oil tanker owners raise security alerts as airlines cancel flights to Taipei

Friday 5 August 2022 07:17 , Namita Singh

Amid escalating tension in the Taiwan Strait, large oil tanker owners have since raised security alert levels and are diverting vessels, said Anoop Singh, head of tanker research at Braemar, a shipping risk manager.

Shipping insurance groups have also posted alerts to members, urging caution in navigating around Taiwan.

Though tankers and container vessels were still docking normally in Taiwan, analysts warned even minor delays for ships were a concern when global trade is still recovering from the impact of pandemic lockdowns.

A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

“As ships are utilized for by-passing the tensions and not for expediting trade it’s a move in the wrong direction - meaning more hardship for supply chains,” said Peter Sand, chief analyst at ocean freight platform Xeneta.

Meanwhile, airlines have also cancelled flights to Taipei and rerouted others to avoid nearby airspace that has been closed to civilian traffic during the Chinese military exercises.

“Though China’s action has yet to significantly disrupt ocean freight operations, a prolonged version certainly could,” said Zvi Schreiber, CEO at Freightos shipping index.

“Regional conflict could force vessels to take alternative routes, adding transit time, disrupting schedules and causing further delays and costs.”

Pelosi criticises China over the abuse of Uighurs muslims: ‘It’s been labelled a genocide’

Friday 5 August 2022 07:32 , Namita Singh

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi ruffled some more feathers today as she slammed China for its human rights record over the abuse of Uighur muslims.

“The fact is, I have said it again and again, if we do not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out about human rights any place in the world,” she said.

“China has some contradictions - some progress in terms of lifting people up, some horrible things happening in terms of the Uyghurs. In fact, it’s been labelled a genocide.”

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August 2022, at the end of her Asian tour, which included a visit to Taiwan (Afp/AFP via Getty Images)
US House speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August 2022, at the end of her Asian tour, which included a visit to Taiwan (Afp/AFP via Getty Images)

The delegation member House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Gregory Meeks was even blunt. “They surely don’t want us to continue to talk about what’s happening in Xinjiang (with) the Uighurs,” he said.

“We’re going to speak up and speak out for human rights, human dignity, and democratic process. That’s what this trip was all about.”

US House speaker praises Taiwan, as she pledges US’ solidarity

Friday 5 August 2022 07:46 , Namita Singh

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Taiwan, pledged US solidarity and said her trip through Asia, which led to unprecedented military drills by an angry China, was never about changing the regional status quo.

“We have said from the start that our representation here is not about changing the status quo in Taiwan or the region,” she told a news conference after meeting with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida.

Nancy Pelosi participating in a press conference in US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Nancy Pelosi participating in a press conference in US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

“The Chinese government is not pleased that our friendship with Taiwan is a strong one,” she added.

“It is bipartisan in the House and in the Senate, overwhelming support for peace and the status quo in Taiwan.”

Ms Pelosi also lauded Taiwan’s democracy, economic successes and - in a veiled dig at China - its human rights record, noting support by Taiwan, the first Asian government to allow same-sex marriage, for LGBTQ rights.

Taiwan slams ‘evil neighbour’ China after missiles fly over island

Friday 5 August 2022 07:49 , Namita Singh

Taiwan condemned its “evil neighbour” today after China fired multiple missiles into its surrounding waters, as many as four of which flew over the island’s capital Taipei in an unprecedented escalation during live-fire exercises.

China launched its largest ever military drills in the seas and skies around Taiwan on Thursday, a day after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged Beijing by making a solidarity trip to the self-ruled island that China claims as its own.

Later, Taiwan’s defence ministry said the missiles were high in the atmosphere and constituted no threat. It did not give details of their flight paths, citing intelligence concerns.

US-Taiwan collusion will put Taipei ‘towards the abyss of disaster’ says China

Friday 5 August 2022 08:15 , Namita Singh

Claiming that China’s relationship with Taiwan is an internal matter, the Chinese defence ministry spokesperson said “the US-Taiwan collusion and provocation will only push Taiwan towards the abyss of disaster, bringing catastrophe to Taiwan compatriots”.

China’s vice minister Deng Li said Beijing would “prevent the country from splitting with the strongest determination, using all means and at any cost.”

A Chinese military vessel sails off Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A Chinese military vessel sails off Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

“Pelosi‘s visit to Taiwan is a blatant political manipulation and a blatant and serious violation of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Deng said. “In response to the US-Taiwan collusion and provocation, China’s counterattack is only natural.”

Responding to the Chinese drills, president Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan would not provoke conflicts but would firmly defend its sovereignty and national security.

China’s military makes dozens of crossing of Taiwan median line – reports

Friday 5 August 2022 08:17 , Namita Singh

About 10 Chinese navy ships and 20 military aircraft briefly crossed the Taiwan Strait median line on Friday morning, a Taiwan source briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Around 10 Chinese navy ships crossed the median line and remained in the area on Friday morning, and about 20 Chinese military aircraft briefly crossed the median line, said the person, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier, Taiwan’s defence ministry said the island’s military has dispatched aircraft and ships and deployed land-based missile systems to monitor the situation there, as China conducts large-scale military drills in zones surrounding Taiwan.

No justification for China’s ‘extreme disproportionate and escalatory’ response, says Blinken

Friday 5 August 2022 08:41 , Namita Singh

US Secretary of State slammed China’s military exercises saying there is no justification for Beijing’s “extreme disproportionate and escalatory” response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit.

He said that China’s military exercises aimed at Taiwan including missiles fired into Japan’s exclusive economic zone represent a “significant escalation.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken takes part in a press conference after attending events at the 55th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken takes part in a press conference after attending events at the 55th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

“China has chosen to overreact and use Speaker Pelosi‘s visit as a pretext to increase provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait,” Mr Blinken said at a news conference in the Cambodian capital.

He also said the US stands in “strong solidarity” with Japan following the “dangerous actions China has taken.”

China cannot stop US officials from visiting Taiwan, says Pelosi as she wraps up Asia trip

Friday 5 August 2022 08:44 , Namita Singh

China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing US officials from travelling there, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today in Tokyo as she wrapped up her Asia tour highlighted by a visit to Taipei that infuriated China.

The Chinese have tried to isolate Taiwan, Ms Pelosi said, including most recently by preventing the self-governing island from joining the World Health Organization.

They may try to keep Taiwan from visiting or participating in other places, but they will not isolate Taiwan by preventing us to travel there

Nancy Pelosi

Ms Pelosi called the contention “ridiculous” and said that her trip to Taiwan was not intended to change the status quo for the island but to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi attends a press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August  2022, at the end of her Asian tour, which included a visit to Taiwan (AFP via Getty Images)
US House speaker Nancy Pelosi attends a press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo on 5 August 2022, at the end of her Asian tour, which included a visit to Taiwan (AFP via Getty Images)

“Our friendship with Taiwan is a strong one. It is bipartisan in the House and in the Senate, overwhelming support for peace and the status quo in Taiwan,” she said.

Pelosi calls for better relationship with China to work on ‘longer-term challenge’

Friday 5 August 2022 08:53 , Namita Singh

As Nancy Pelosi wrapped her Asia trip, she called on “the two big countries” — the US and China — to communicate in areas such as climate and other global issues.

“It isn’t about our visit determining what the US-China relationship is. It’s a much bigger and longer-term challenge and once again, we have to recognize that we have to work together on certain areas.”

US, Russia China take part in talks with SE Asian nations

Friday 5 August 2022 09:03 , Namita Singh

US secretary of state Antony Blinken joined the foreign ministers of Russia and China at a meeting today with top diplomats from Southeast Asia at a time when the global powers are riven by tensions.

The East Asia Summit of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Cambodia’s capital was the first time the three men were scheduled to take part in the same forum.

It came a day after WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison by Russia in a politically charged case amid antagonisms over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) attend the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting during the 55th Asean Foreign Minsters’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) attend the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting during the 55th Asean Foreign Minsters’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on 5 August 2022 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

China, meantime, has shown outrage over US House speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s visit this week to Taiwan — a self-governing island Beijing claims as its own — and launched show-of-force military exercises in response.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi patted Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on the shoulder as he entered the room and gave the already-seated Lavrov a quick wave before taking his own seat. Lavrov waved back in response.

Mr Blinken, who entered the room last, did not even glance at Lavrov as he took his own seat about a half-dozen chairs away, or at Wang who was seated farther down the same table as Mr Lavrov.

Ahead of the Phnom Penh talks, the US State Department indicated Mr Blinken had no plans to meet one-on-one with either man during the course of the meetings.

China sanctions US House speaker

Friday 5 August 2022 09:53 , Namita Singh

China has announced unspecified sanctions on US House speaker Nancy Pelosi for her visit earlier this week to Taiwan.

A Chinese foreign ministry statement said today that Ms Pelosi had disregarded China’s concerns and resolute opposition to her visit to the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims.

The Chinese statement called Ms Pelosi’s visit provocative and said it undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It said that sanctions would be imposed on her and her immediate family but did not say what they would be. Such sanctions are generally mostly symbolic in nature.

Analysis: Japanese backing for military build-up likely to rise after China’s missiles

Friday 5 August 2022 10:06 , Namita Singh

China’s firing of missiles into waters less than 160km (100 miles) from Japan in a display of might after Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan will likely bolster public support for a military build-up aimed at defence against Japan’s big neighbour.

“It clearly shows that if anything happened with Taiwan that we will be affected,” said Taro Kono, a senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and former foreign and defence minister.

“The tide has clearly turned in Japan,” he added, when asked whether the public would back higher military spending.

A US-made C-130 aircraft prepares to land on a runway at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
A US-made C-130 aircraft prepares to land on a runway at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Defence is a divisive issue in Japan, which, as a legacy of World War Two, has a pacifist constitution and an enduring public wariness about entanglement in US-led wars.

China’s unprecedented missile launches into Japan’s exclusive economic zone came as prime minister Fumio Kishida’s government prepares to publish a defence budget request for a significant increase in spending this month.

“The military balance has greatly changed around Taiwan,” said retired admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, who served as chief of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces’ Joint Staff for five years until 2019.

“I hope defence budget discussions will get serious.”

White House summons Chinese ambassador for rebuke on Taiwan response – report

Friday 5 August 2022 10:43 , Namita Singh

The White House summoned Chinese ambassador Qin Gang yesterday to condemn Beijing’s escalating actions against Taiwan and reiterate that the US does not want a crisis in the region, the Washington Post reported.

“After China’s actions overnight, we summoned Ambassador Qin Gang to the White House to démarche him about (China’s) provocative actions,” White House spokesman John Kirby told the outlet.

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House on 4 August 2022 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)
National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House on 4 August 2022 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

China has itself sanctioned US House speaker Nancy Pelosi and her immediate family in response to what it called her “vicious” and “provocative” actions, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

China fires ballistic missiles directly over Taipei in major escalation

Friday 5 August 2022 10:44 , Namita Singh

China fired multiple ballistic missiles in the direction of Taiwan on Friday morning, four of which flew over capital city Taipei in an unprecedented escalation, as it continues to carry out the largest ever military drills in the seas and skies surrounding the self-ruled island.

The Taiwanese defence ministry confirmed the firing of missiles over its airspace in the capital but added that the projectiles were high in the atmosphere and did not constitute any threat.

Officials have not provided the details of the flight paths due to intelligence concerns.

The launch of missiles was confirmed by Japan’s defence ministry which also reported that as many as four missiles flew over Taipei.

Tokyo, which has been monitoring the military drills announced by Beijing to run until Sunday, said that five of the nine missiles that flew towards its territory landed in its exclusive economic zone.

My colleague Arpan Rai reports:

China fires ballistic missiles directly over Taipei in major escalation

Full story: How airlines are cancelling and re-routing flights amid Chinese drills

Friday 5 August 2022 11:04 , Namita Singh

Several airlines have cancelled or re-routed flights to Taipei this week, as China carries out its unprecedented military drills surrounding Taiwan.

Read the details in this report from my colleague Lucy Thackray:

Flights cancelled or rerouted amid China’a missile drills near Taiwan

China sends 100 warplanes to Taiwan drills

Friday 5 August 2022 11:07 , Namita Singh

More than 100 warplanes and 10 warships have taken part in live-fire military drills surrounding Taiwan over the past two days, said China today.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that fighters, bombers, destroyers and frigates were all used in what it called “joint blockage operations” taking place in six zones off the coast of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

The military’s Eastern Theater Command also fired new versions of missiles it said hit unidentified targets in the Taiwan Strait “with precision.”

Three French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Three French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi on a runway in front of a hangar at the Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Those included projectiles fired over Taiwan into the Pacific, military officers told state media, in a major ratcheting up of China’s threats to annex the island by force.

The drills, which Xinhua described as being held on an “unprecedented scale,” are China’s response to a visit this week by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

China summons Canadian diplomat over G7 statement on Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 11:08 , Namita Singh

China’s foreign ministry said that it summoned Beijing-based Canadian diplomat Jim Nickel over Canada’s participation in a statement issued by the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations.

This is the latest in a string of diplomatic complaints made by Beijing after the G7 called on China on Wednesday to resolve tension around the Taiwan Strait in a peaceful manner.

Chinese vice foreign minister Xie Feng summoned Mr Nickel yesterday and urged Canada to “immediately correct its mistakes” on the issue of Taiwan or “bear all consequences”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry statement published today.

Beijing halts high-level military dialogue with US, suspends other cooperation

Friday 5 August 2022 11:18 , Namita Singh

Beijing said it was halting cooperation with America in a number of areas, including dialogue between senior-level military commanders, in retaliation for the visit this week to Taiwan by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that it was halting climate talks with the US, as well as cooperation on cross-border crime prevention and on repatriating illegal migrants, among eight specific measures.

China vows to take more counter-measures over Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 11:31 , Namita Singh

China’s foreign ministry has said that it will take more counter-measures over Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan earlier this week.

The announcement came as China confirmed that it has halted dialogue with the US on climate change, military issues, and anti-drug work in retaliation.

A television (top) in a restaurant in Hong Kong on 5 August 2022, shows a missile being launched during military exercises being held by China around the island of Taiwan (AFP via Getty Images)
A television (top) in a restaurant in Hong Kong on 5 August 2022, shows a missile being launched during military exercises being held by China around the island of Taiwan (AFP via Getty Images)

Full report: China halts cooperation with US on climate change and suspends military dialogue

Friday 5 August 2022 11:44 , Namita Singh

China says it is suspending all cooperation with the US on climate change, as well as halting high-level military dialogue, as part of a raft of responses to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Read the details in this report from my colleague Stuti Mishra:

China halts cooperation with US on climate change and suspends military dialogue

Across the sea from Taiwan, Chinese tourists defend country’s military action

Friday 5 August 2022 11:48 , Namita Singh

Tourists on the beaches of Pingtan island, China’s closest point to Taiwan island, yesterday were treated to an unexpected sight: helicopters in formation and smoke trails from projectiles.

The display was part of extensive drills of military hardware in six zones around Taiwan, deployed the day after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi made a solidarity trip to the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.

The residents on Pingtan island defended what China sees as its right to bring Taiwan under its control.

“Taiwan belongs to China. We don’t want any foreign country or foreign force interfering with our domestic problems,” said a 15-year-old student from Wuhan, surnamed Huang.

“Neither side wants to fight. The two governments should negotiate and compromise,” he added.

At a coffee shop in the Pingtan hills, families took turns under a scorching sun to photograph themselves holding pro-unification banners reading “awaiting return”, or “peaceful unification.”

A 27-year-old games designer surnamed You from Fujian province said he believed China should gradually “strengthen” its unification resolve, though not necessarily through “excessive” force.

“In the end, they are compatriots,” You said.

Tourists visit a scenic area on Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Tourists visit a scenic area on Pingtan island, one of mainland China’s closest point from Taiwan, in Fujian province on 5 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Apple asks suppliers to follow China customs rules – reports

Friday 5 August 2022 12:36 , Namita Singh

Apple Inc has asked its suppliers to ensure that shipments from Taiwan to China comply with Beijing’s customs regulations to avoid scrutiny, according to a Nikkei report.

Sino-US trade tensions have escalated following US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

The iPhone maker told suppliers that China had started enforcing a long-standing rule that Taiwanese-made parts and components must be labeled as made either in “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei”, the report added, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

File: People visit an Apple Store in Shanghai on 10 June 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
File: People visit an Apple Store in Shanghai on 10 June 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

Apple iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp said its mainland China plant is operating normally, in response to a media report that shipments to Pegatron’s factory in China were being held for scrutiny by Chinese customs officials.

Taiwanese supply and assembly partners Foxconn and Pegatron are ramping up manufacturing efforts as Apple is set to launch its new iPhone in September.

Taiwan’s foreign minister defends Pelosi’s visit

Friday 5 August 2022 13:00 , Namita Singh

Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu defended US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s brief visit to the island as “extremely significant”.

“China has long been trying to isolate Taiwan internationally,” Mr Wu told the BBC. “For an important leader like Speaker Pelosi to have the opportunity to visit Taiwan is very significant. To raise the profile of Taiwan and to allow the international community to understand that Taiwan is a democracy.”

He asserted that the island state wants to maintain the status quo “which is that Taiwan has no jurisdiction over mainland China and the People’s Republic of China (CCP) has no jurisdiction over Taiwan. That is the reality.”

File: Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu delivering a speech in Prague on 27 October 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)
File: Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu delivering a speech in Prague on 27 October 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

He also slammed China’s “expansionist” behavior.

“Look at their behaviour over Hong Kong, or claiming the East China Sea and the South China Sea. It is the typical expansionism of an authoritarian state,” he said.

“Countries in this region need to watch out for what China is trying to do. Taiwan is not going to be the last piece in Chinese dream of expansionism.”

Taiwan says 68 planes and 13 warships taking part in Taiwan Strait missions

Friday 5 August 2022 13:26 , Gustaf Kilander

The defence ministry of Taiwan said on Friday that 68 Chinese military planes and 13 ships were taking part in missions in the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry said that some of them “deliberately” crossed the unofficial zone of separation between China and Taiwan, which is known as the median line.

According to Reuters, the ministry criticized the actions, saying that the Chinese armed forces have “seriously damaged” the status quo and that they “harassed” the waters and airspace of Taiwan.

A military plane flies above the Taiwan Strait as seen from the 68-nautical-mile scenic spot, the closest point in mainland China to the island of Taiwan, in Pingtan in southeastern China's Fujian Province, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 (AP)
A military plane flies above the Taiwan Strait as seen from the 68-nautical-mile scenic spot, the closest point in mainland China to the island of Taiwan, in Pingtan in southeastern China's Fujian Province, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 (AP)

Taiwan defence ministry says China’s drills ‘violated our sovereignty’

Friday 5 August 2022 13:45 , Gustaf Kilander

The Taiwan Defence Ministry tweeted on Friday that “the recent coercion from PRC’s drills around us aimed to change the status quo of Taiwan Strait, violated our sovereignty, and caused tension in the Indo-Pacific region. #ROCArmedForces seek no escalation, but we succumb to no challenges and respond with reason”.

Earlier on Friday, the ministry announced that the Chinese army “dispatched 68 aircraft and 13 vessels until 17:00 (UTC+8) for the activities around Taiwan Strait, part of which had crossed the median line and jeopardized the status quo of the strait”.

The ministry said that the armed forces of Taiwan responded “accordingly with surveillance systems, CAP aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems”.

“We condemn such action that disturbed our surrounding airspace and waters and continue to ensure our democracy and freedom free from threats”, the ministry added.

Taiwan Navy's Chi Yang-class frigate Ning Yang (FFG-938) is anchored at a harbour in Keelung city, Taiwan, 05 August 2022 (EPA)
Taiwan Navy's Chi Yang-class frigate Ning Yang (FFG-938) is anchored at a harbour in Keelung city, Taiwan, 05 August 2022 (EPA)

Taiwan foreign minister says China crossed median line to ‘simulate attacks’

Friday 5 August 2022 14:01 , Gustaf Kilander

The foreign minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu has tweeted that many of the Chinese planes and vessels “crossed the median line of the strait” on Friday “to simulate attacks”.

“This dangerous escalation of the military threat is wrecking peace & stability in the region and must be condemned”, he wrote on the account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NSC spokesman says US does not want ‘crisis’ but will not be stopped from traveling the Pacific

Friday 5 August 2022 14:39 , Graig Graziosi

National Security Council spokesman Adrmiral John Kirby told Reuters that Chinese ambassador Qin Gang was called to the White House to discuss the latest spike in tensions between the US and Beijing. According to Mr Kirby, the ambassador was told that China’s reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was irresponsible and incongruent with the goals of maintaning global peace and stability. According to Mr Kirby, the White House impressed on the ambassador that the US does not want “a crisis” but will also not be deterred from free travel throughout the Pacific.

“We also made clear that the United States is prepared for what Beijing chooses to do. We will not seek and do not want a crisis,” Mr Kirby said. “At the same time, we will not be deterred from operating in the seas and skies of the Western Pacific, consistent with international law, as we have for decades, and supporting Taiwan and defending a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Friday 5 August 2022 15:09 , Graig Graziosi

Taiwan’s Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang told reporters Friday that he was calling on China to de-escalate after it began holding live-fire drills in a protest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island. He asked for Taiwan’s allies to support the call for peace.

The prime minister said Taipei did not expect China to disrupt one of the world’s busiesest waterways over a diplomat’s visit.

“(We) didn’t expect that the evil neighbour next door would show off its power at our door and arbitrarily jeopardise the busiest waterways in the world with its military exercises,” he said.

Taiwan estimates nearly 50 Chinese jets crossed median line on Friday

Friday 5 August 2022 16:02 , Graig Graziosi

The defense ministry in Taiwan issued a statement claiming that 49 Chinese jets apparently crossed the “median line,” which serves as an unofficial border between the island and China.

All 49 jets reportedly crossed over the median line before turning around and returning.

Chinest jets have been pulling similar moves since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. On Wednesday 22 Chinese jets slipped across the median line, and another 22 did so on Thursday.

Chinese military spokesperson accuses US of ‘foreign aggression'

Friday 5 August 2022 16:51 , Graig Graziosi

Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for China’s military, accused the US of participating in “foreign aggression.”

“China had historically been a victim of foreign aggression. Today, the US still grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and attempts to undermine China’s sovereignty and security from time to time,” she said on Twitter. “If the US is indeed a responsible country, it should have prevented #Pelosi‘s irresponsible aggression early on and it should have removed the many military vessels and aircraft it has deployed right at China’s doorstep.”

She said the US was using “salami tactics” — an accusation that European analysts have lobbed at China in the past — to “hollow out the One China principle.”

Taiwan deploys ships, missile defence systems to monitor Chinese aircraft near the island

Friday 5 August 2022 18:11 , Graig Graziosi

Reuters reports that Taiwan’s defence ministry deployed aircraft, ships, and missile defense systems on Friday in response to China’s live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait.

Officials said those defenses were mobilised to monitor Chinese jets that once again crossed the median line between the island and the mainland on Friday.

Chinese foreign minister cancels talks with Japanese official, accuses US of spreading misinformation

Friday 5 August 2022 19:09 , Graig Graziosi

On Friday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi walked out of a conference meeting of Asian countries during the speech of Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. He then cancelled a meeting with Mr Hayashi, who he claimed may have had a “guilty conscience” for not supporting China’s reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

“If the Japanese side has some concern about this, then I am afraid the Japanese side should think about whether they have done something very wrong to China,” he said during a press conference after his walkout. “If you have not done anything wrong to China, why are you worried about this?”

He also accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of spreading misinformation and said that China’s response was “firm, forceful, and appropriate.”

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign affairs minister, also left Mr Hayashi’s speech alongside his Chinese counterpart.

Mr Hayashi later told reporters that Japan is always willing to have discussions with China.

NSC spokesman Admiral John Kirby calls China ‘irresponsible’ for backing out of climate agreements

Friday 5 August 2022 19:58 , Graig Graziosi

National Security Council spokesman Admiral John Kirby told reporters that China’s decision to back out of climate agreements with the US over House Speak Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was “fundamentally irresponsible.”

Mr Kirby said the Chinese decision to suspend talks hurts the “whole world.”

“They think they’re punishing us by shutting down this channel,” Mr Kirby said. “They’re actually punishing the whole world because the climate crisis doesn’t recognize geographic boundaries and borders.”

Apple acquiesces to Chinese labelling demands, ensuring no products headed for China are labelled ‘Made in Taiwan’

Friday 5 August 2022 20:56 , Graig Graziosi

Apple told suppliers that any merchandise heading from Taiwan to China be labeled in accordance with Chinese customs preferences.

This means that all mechandise leaving the island for China will have to be labelled “Made in Taiwan, China” or “Made in Chinese Taipei.”

Nikkei Asia reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan “stoked fears of rising trade barriers,” which apaprently spooked Apple. The company fears “possible disruptions” if China decides to block products in customs for not adhering to its labelling demands.

Friday 5 August 2022 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Full story: How airlines are cancelling and re-routing flights amid Chinese drills

Several airlines have cancelled or re-routed flights to Taipei this week, as China carries out its unprecedented military drills surrounding Taiwan.

Read the details in this report from my colleague Lucy Thackray:

Flights cancelled or rerouted amid China’a missile drills near Taiwan

ICYMI: China summons Canadian diplomat over G7 statement on Taiwan

Friday 5 August 2022 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

China’s foreign ministry said that it summoned Beijing-based Canadian diplomat Jim Nickel over Canada’s participation in a statement issued by the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations.

This is the latest in a string of diplomatic complaints made by Beijing after the G7 called on China on Wednesday to resolve tension around the Taiwan Strait in a peaceful manner.

Chinese vice foreign minister Xie Feng summoned Mr Nickel yesterday and urged Canada to “immediately correct its mistakes” on the issue of Taiwan or “bear all consequences”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry statement published today.

Beijing halts high-level military dialogue with US, suspends other cooperation

Saturday 6 August 2022 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Beijing said it was halting cooperation with America in a number of areas, including dialogue between senior-level military commanders, in retaliation for the visit this week to Taiwan by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that it was halting climate talks with the US, as well as cooperation on cross-border crime prevention and on repatriating illegal migrants, among eight specific measures.

Taiwan’s foreign minister defends Pelosi’s visit

Saturday 6 August 2022 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu defended US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s brief visit to the island as “extremely significant”.

“China has long been trying to isolate Taiwan internationally,” Mr Wu told the BBC. “For an important leader like Speaker Pelosi to have the opportunity to visit Taiwan is very significant. To raise the profile of Taiwan and to allow the international community to understand that Taiwan is a democracy.”

He asserted that the island state wants to maintain the status quo “which is that Taiwan has no jurisdiction over mainland China and the People’s Republic of China (CCP) has no jurisdiction over Taiwan. That is the reality.”

Taiwan says 68 planes and 13 warships taking part in Taiwan Strait missions

Saturday 6 August 2022 02:00 , Graig Graziosi

The defence ministry of Taiwan said on Friday that 68 Chinese military planes and 13 ships were taking part in missions in the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry said that some of them “deliberately” crossed the unofficial zone of separation between China and Taiwan, which is known as the median line.

According to Reuters, the ministry criticized the actions, saying that the Chinese armed forces have “seriously damaged” the status quo and that they “harassed” the waters and airspace of Taiwan.

Taiwan defence ministry says China’s drills ‘violated our sovereignty’

Saturday 6 August 2022 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

The Taiwan Defence Ministry tweeted on Friday that “the recent coercion from PRC’s drills around us aimed to change the status quo of Taiwan Strait, violated our sovereignty, and caused tension in the Indo-Pacific region. #ROCArmedForces seek no escalation, but we succumb to no challenges and respond with reason”.

Earlier on Friday, the ministry announced that the Chinese army “dispatched 68 aircraft and 13 vessels until 17:00 (UTC+8) for the activities around Taiwan Strait, part of which had crossed the median line and jeopardized the status quo of the strait”.

The ministry said that the armed forces of Taiwan responded “accordingly with surveillance systems, CAP aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems”.

“We condemn such action that disturbed our surrounding airspace and waters and continue to ensure our democracy and freedom free from threats”, the ministry added.

Taiwan foreign minister says China crossed median line to ‘simulate attacks’

Saturday 6 August 2022 04:00 , Graig Graziosi

The foreign minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu has tweeted that many of the Chinese planes and vessels “crossed the median line of the strait” on Friday “to simulate attacks”.

“This dangerous escalation of the military threat is wrecking peace & stability in the region and must be condemned”, he wrote on the account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chinese military spokesperson accuses US of ‘foreign aggression'

Saturday 6 August 2022 04:59 , Graig Graziosi

Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for China’s military, accused the US of participating in “foreign aggression.”

“China had historically been a victim of foreign aggression. Today, the US still grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and attempts to undermine China’s sovereignty and security from time to time,” she said on Twitter. “If the US is indeed a responsible country, it should have prevented #Pelosi‘s irresponsible aggression early on and it should have removed the many military vessels and aircraft it has deployed right at China’s doorstep.”

She said the US was using “salami tactics” — an accusation that European analysts have lobbed at China in the past — to “hollow out the One China principle.”

Canada urges China to 'halt its coercive military and economic actions'

Saturday 6 August 2022 05:30 , Vishwam Sankaran

Canada has told China to stop missile launches toward Taiwan after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contentious visit to the self-governing territory.

“Canada is deeply concerned by the missiles launched by the People’s Republic of China towards Taiwan and into Japan’s exclusive economic zone,” Canada’s foreign minister Melanie Joly tweeted on Saturday, adding that China’s military action “threatens regional stability and security”.

“We strongly urge the PRC to halt its coercive military and economic actions,” she said.

North Korea calls Pelosi ‘worst destroyer of international peace’

Saturday 6 August 2022 06:00 , Vishwam Sankaran

Jo Yong Sam, a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry, has slammed US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting Taiwan, calling her “the worst destroyer of international peace and stability” and accusing her of inciting anti-North Korea sentiment.

“Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives of the US, who had come under a volley of due criticism from China for destroying regional peace and stability by visiting Taiwan, stirred up the atmosphere of confrontation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during her visit to south Korea,” Jo said in a statement carried by state media.

“It would be a fatal mistake for her to think that she can go scot-free in the Korean Peninsula. The US will have to pay dearly for all the sources of trouble spawned by her wherever she went,” he warned.

Taiwan defence ministry official leading missile production found dead, report says

Saturday 6 August 2022 06:04 , Vishwam Sankaran

Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of Taiwan defence ministry’s research and development unit, was found dead on Saturday morning in a hotel room, government-controlled Central News Agency reports.

Authorities are looking into the cause of death, according to CNA.

Mr Ou Yang, who assumed the post early this year to supervise missile production projects at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, was found dead in a hotel room in southern Taiwan.

The military-owned body has been working to more than double its yearly production of missiles to close to 500 this year to boost the Island territory’s combat power amid its growing tensions with China.

Trump says Pelosi's Taiwan visit gave China 'an excuse'

Saturday 6 August 2022 06:30 , Vishwam Sankaran

Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, former US president Donald Trump slammed Nancy Pelosi over her recent Taiwan visit.

“What was she doing in Taiwan? She was China’s dream,” Mr Trump said.

“She gave them an excuse. They’ve been looking for that excuse,” he said of Ms Pelosi’s visit to the self-governing territory.

The former US president’s remarks come as several Republicans, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, issued a statement on Ms Pelosi’s visit saying they supported the trip.

Taiwan says Chinese warships and planes carried out attack simulation

Saturday 6 August 2022 07:17 , Vishwam Sankaran

Taiwan’s defense ministry has said multiple Chinese warships and planes conducted missions in the Taiwan Strait in what seemed to be practice for an attack on the island.

Some of the ships and planes, according to officials, crossed the median line – an unofficial buffer separating the two sides.

These movements, Taiwan’s military says were part of a simulation attack on the main Taiwan island.

“Multiple PLA craft were detected around Taiwan Strait, some have crossed the median line. Possible simulated attack against HVA,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense tweeted on Saturday.

Taiwan defence official found dead succumbed to heart attack, report says

Saturday 6 August 2022 08:21 , Vishwam Sankaran

Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of Taiwan defence ministry’s research and development unit who was found dead on Saturday morning in a hotel room, had succumbed to a heart attack, government-controlled Central News Agency reported.

The 57-year-old, who had assumed the post early this year to supervise missile production projects, died of a heart attack and the hotel room showed no signs of “intrusion,” the CNA report noted.

He had a cardiac stent and his family reportedly had a history of heart disease.

Taiwan dispatches patrols around island, accusing China of ‘simulated attack’

Saturday 6 August 2022 11:41 , Vishwam Sankaran

Taiwan’s armed forces have reportedly issued an alert and dispatched air and naval patrols around the island.

The island has activated land-based missile systems in response to the situation, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence.

The ministry tweeted that the island’s armed forces are watching over the surrounding waters in response to the recent military drills.