China to conduct 'large-scale military exercises involving its land, naval, air and rocket forces near Taiwan' after the US approves $2.2 billion arms sale to the self-ruled island
- China said People's Liberation Army will conduct drills along its southeast coast
- The drills could be a 'high-level, large scale joint exercise', state media reported
- Announcement came as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was visiting New York
- US State Department approved the sale of the weapons requested by Taiwan
China has announced that it will conduct large-scale military exercises close to the Taiwan Strait, amid rising tensions over the sale of US$2.2 billion (£1.7bn) worth of tanks, missiles and related equipment from the United States to Taiwan.
The Ministry of Defence said in a short statement on Sunday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct routine drills along its 'southeast coast' in the coming days, without elaborating.
The military drills are very likely to involve the country's land, naval, air and rocket forces and could be a 'high-level, large scale joint exercise,' according to state-run Global Times.
China has announced that it will conduct large-scale military exercises close to the Taiwan Strait, amid rising tensions over the sale of US$2.2 billion (£1.7bn) worth of tanks, missiles and related equipment from the United States to Taiwan. Above, a large-scale naval drill held in April 2018 near Taiwan in the disputed South China Sea
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrives at Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Saturday. Beijing's announcement came as Tsai was visiting New York on a transit stop to diplomatic allies in the Caribbean, a trip that has also infuriated Beijing, further straining Sino-US ties already affected by a bitter trade war
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'The drills are routine arrangements in accordance with the annual plans of the military force,' the ministry's statement said.
'This exercise will also better test the PLA's ability to thwart all separatist activities and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Global Times reported citing a source familiar with the matter.
The announcement came as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was visiting New York on a transit stop to diplomatic allies in the Caribbean, a trip that has also infuriated Beijing, further straining Sino-US ties already affected by a bitter trade war.
China's southeast coast is one of the country's most sensitive regions as it faces Taiwan across the narrow Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Defence said in a short statement on Sunday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct routine drills along its 'southeast coast' in the coming days, without elaborating. Above, a large-scale military drill held by the PLA in April 2018
China has previously flown its warplanes, including the Xian H-6, over Taiwan during military drills. Previous reports claimed that the fighter jet is capable of dropping nuclear bombs. Pictured, missiles stand on display next to a Xian H-6M bomber aircraft during a 2014 air show
Taiwan split from China during a civil war in 1949, but the mainland still considers the self-governing island as part of its territory and to be taken by force if needed.
The US, which recognised Beijing as the government of China in 1979, does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but U.S. law requires that it provide Taiwan with sufficient defense equipment and services for self-defense.
Last week, the Pentagon said the US State Department had approved the sale of the weapons requested by Taiwan, including 108 General Dynamics Corp M1A2T Abrams tanks and 250 Stinger missiles.
China has objected to her visit, which Taiwan calls a 'two-evening transit stop' on the way to Haiti and three other Caribbean nations that recognise Taiwan.
China's southeast coast is one of the country's most sensitive regions as it faces Taiwan across the narrow Taiwan Strait
China staged its largest naval drills ever in the South China Sea in 2014 (above) amid rising tensions with Taiwan over the disputed territory. China has in recent years stepped up its military drills around Taiwan, including regularly flying what Beijing calls 'island encirclement' exercises and sending warships into the waters around Taiwan
'We urge the U.S. to abide by the 'One China' principle and ... not allow Tsai Ing-wen's stopover, cease official exchanges with Taiwan and refrain from providing any platform for separatist Taiwan independence forces,' foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Friday in Beiijng.
China said on Friday it would sanction US companies selling weapons to Taiwan, saying it harmed China's sovereignty and national security.
Tsai dismissed Chinese criticism of both her visit and the arms deal. 'We don't need our neighbour to make irresponsible remarks,' she told reporters in New York, according to Taiwan's official Central News Agency.
Taiwan's Presidential Office said Tsai had spoken over the phone with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while she was in the US and met with other senators and members of Congress
In a statement on Sunday, Taiwan's Presidential Office said Tsai had spoken over the phone with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while she was in the US and met with other senators and members of Congress.
Tsai thanked the US for 'the importance it attaches to the security of the Taiwan Strait' and the recently announced arms sale, the statement said.
She has repeatedly warned of the threat from its giant neighbour China and has vowed to defend Taiwan's security, democracy and way of life.
China has in recent years stepped up its military drills around Taiwan, including regularly flying what Beijing calls 'island encirclement' exercises and sending warships into the waters around Taiwan.
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