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ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward captures the moment China opens fire
China has begun firing artillery as it launches military exercises around Taiwan, after tensions flared over a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
World leaders have urged Beijing to stop provocations in Taiwan, including Japan’s defense minister, who said the drills were a “serious threat” to the country’s national security.
It comes after five missiles were diverted into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said. He said Japan protested the missile landings in China as “serious threats to Japan’s national security and the safety of the Japanese people.”
Live-fire drills have been launched in six areas surrounding Taiwan and are intended to advertise China’s willingness to attack the self-ruled island as it seeks to break away from Chinese rule and secure its independence.
Local media have reported that both South Korean Airlines and Asiana have temporarily canceled direct flights to Taiwan.
At least 40 flights there from Taiwan were canceled on Thursday, according to the China Times newspaper.
He cited Taoyuan Airport in the capital, Taipei, as saying the cancellations were “not necessarily” related to military exercises. Taiwan’s military issued a statement saying its forces are on high alert and closely watching the Chinese drills.
He said: “The Ministry of National Defense emphasizes that it will maintain the principle of preparing for war without seeking war, and with an attitude of not escalating conflict and provoking disputes.”
Civil defense drills have been held and notices have been posted at designated air raid shelters across the island.
“All three branches of the service will combine efforts with all people to jointly safeguard national security and territorial integrity” while adapting to the situation as it develops, the statement continued.
ITV News captured the moment the artillery was launched from Pingtan Island, Fujian, less than 80 miles from Taiwan.
It was a “small show of force in China’s massive military offensive launched today that has Taiwan surrounded by warships, tracking fighter jets and monitoring missile launches,” Asia correspondent Debi Edward reports.
China’s official Xinhua news agency said the drills were joint operations focused on “blocking, assaulting maritime targets, attacking land targets and controlling airspace.”
Taiwan has put its military on alert and organized civil defense exercises, while the US has numerous naval assets in the area.
The drills are due to take place from Thursday to Sunday and include missile strikes against targets in the island’s northern and southern seas in an echo of recent major Chinese military exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwan’s celebrated leaders and voters in 1995 and 1996.
The exercises involved troops from the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Logistics Support Force under the Eastern Theater Command.
China’s foreign ministry rejected suggestions the drills were dangerous and blamed the US for the tension.
“China’s practice is in line with international law,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
On Wednesday, China banned some imports from Taiwan, including citrus fruits and fish, before flying 27 additional fighter jets to the island later that night.
Why are tensions between Taiwan and China growing?
Pelosi met with leaders in Taiwan despite warnings from China this week.
She defended the visit, saying she and other members of Congress in a visiting delegation are showing they will not abandon their commitment to Taiwan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined fellow diplomats in calling for China not to use force to disrupt the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged Beijing to de-escalate as tensions rose, after Beijing announced it would hold military exercises near Taiwan.
Asked how she would deal with rising tensions if elected prime minister, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “Well, I can’t stand China’s inflammatory language on this issue, it’s perfectly reasonable what it is passing and I urge China to undo it. -escalate.”
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