Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on August 5 that several groups of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and ships had again crossed the so-called midline of the Taiwan Strait. TASS.
The defense ministry does not specify the number of Chinese aircraft and ships, but describes the ongoing PLA exercises as “extremely provocative”.
The island’s Ministry of Defense emphasized that the Taiwanese armed forces are monitoring the development of the situation and increase the level of combat readiness in the event of a possible armed conflict.
The ministry also added that the Taiwanese military does not intend to provoke and aggravate the situation.
China’s military exercises near Taiwan began on August 4 in response to Pelosi’s visit to Taipei without Beijing’s permission. Chinese officials considered the American speaker’s step an encroachment on the sovereignty of the state and expressed strong protest. At the same time, a number of media outlets note that with the start of Chinese maneuvers, the situation around Taiwan deteriorated, as combat missiles were used in the exercises.
Previously in the US Senate called President Joe Biden will arm Taiwan to defend it against China.