China has begun three days of military exercises around Taiwan in retaliation for a meeting between the US House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.

A Chinese amphibious landing ship – capable of transporting troops, craft and vehicles – began live-fire drills in the seas facing the Taiwan Strait on Saturday morning, while 42 Chinese fighter jets and eight warships were detected near the island.

The People’s Liberation Army said the three-day “combat readiness patrols” were a warning to those in Taiwan who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent.

The Taiwanese military said missile defence systems were activated and air and sea patrols sent to track the Chinese aircraft.

“We condemn such an irrational act that has jeopardised regional security and stability,” Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

China announced the drills after Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen returned to Taipei from Los Angeles on Thursday, where she met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Taiwan split from China after a civil war in 1949 and the ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland by force if necessary.

Macron appeals to China’s Xi to ‘bring Russia back to its senses’ over Ukraine invasion

Emmanuel Macron urges Xi Jinping to bring Russia to negotiating table over Ukraine

Taiwan faces ‘unprecedented challenges’ as US welcomes president and China condemns visit

Beijing argues contact with foreign officials encourages Taiwanese people who want formal independence.

“This is a serious warning against the collusion and provocation between the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external forces,” the PLA said in a statement.

The “Joint Sword” exercises are a “necessary action to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

US pledges training and weapons

Meanwhile, the chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, has pledged to help provide training for Taiwan’s armed forces and speed up the delivery of weapons during a visit to Taipei.

“We are doing everything we can in Congress to speed up these sales and get the weapons that you need to defend
yourselves,” Mr McCaul said. “And we will provide training to your military – not for war, but for peace.

“Projecting weakness only invites aggression and conflict. Projecting strength provides deterrence and promotes peace.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘Complete reunification of our country must be realised’

The US has no official relations with Taiwan’s government but maintains extensive informal and commercial ties. Washington is required by federal law to ensure the island of 22 million people has the means to defend itself if China attacks.

“We will never leave room for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities in any form and will definitely take resolute measures to defeat any foreign interference,” said a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

“Complete reunification of our country must be realised, and it can, without doubt, be realised,” Mr Zhu said.

China announced the military drills hours after French President Emmanuel Macron left the country following a meeting with President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders. He urged Beijing to bring Russia to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine.

Related posts:

Doctor who treated Kremlin critic Navalny after poisoning goes missing in Siberia Russian gay family in controversial supermarket advert flees to Spain after threats Taliban fire into air at anti-Pakistan protest as UN warns basic services on verge of collapse Paris attacks survivors hope for justice as France’s biggest criminal trial in history begins UAE to move to Western-style Monday to Friday working week Crisis-hit Sri Lanka faces an even darker future if president-elect fails to ditch wealthy elites Putin wrong if he thinks he can win war of attrition in Ukraine, CIA director says ‘I will very, very, very probably do it again’: Trump teases fresh White House bid South Korea scrambles fighter jets after detecting 180 North Korean warplanes near border Confusion in Iran as rumours swirl about future of morality police and the regime | Dominic Waghorn President Xi speaks for an hour at memorial held for late Chinese leader Jiang Zemin China’s military must become ‘Great Wall of Steel’, President Xi Jinping says