"The People's Liberation Army of China has announced that it will conduct military exercises such as the blockade of Taiwan, but if the situation worsens, it may develop into a 21st century version of the 'Cuban Missile Crisis'.



" "One small spark is enough to spark a conflict, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan is highly likely to be the spark."



The People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced last night that shortly after Chairman Pelosi arrived in Taiwan, it would designate six zones in the waters surrounding Taiwan and conduct important military exercises, including live-fire drills, from 12:00 on the 4th to 12:00 on the 7th.



In addition, for safety, related vessels and aircraft during this period were advised not to enter the relevant waters and airspace.



Local Taiwan News reported that the training zones were closer to Taiwan compared to the third Taiwan crisis in 1996.



Earlier, in 1995, when then-Taiwan President Li Teng-hui visited the United States for a lecture at his alma mater, Cornell University, China threatened to conduct drills such as firing missiles around Taiwan until a US aircraft carrier assembled nearby in March 1996.



Taiwan's defense ministry condemned the news of the Chinese military drill, saying, "China's exercises are like blocking Taiwan's airspace and sea."



However, the Taiwanese executive said, "The authorities will come up with a plan to ensure aviation safety around Taiwan."



The local Taiwanese report noted that the live-fire training area off the coast of Kaohsiung, south of Taiwan, has expanded significantly compared to the 1996 crisis.



The Yonhap report also introduced that there is an analysis that the Chinese military's training is aimed at blocking the transport network through the Strait of Malacca.



The Strait of Malacca is a strait between the southern part of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra.



A senior Taiwanese official told Reuters: "Chinese military training is taking place on the busiest international waterway in the Indo-Pacific region." I can see it,” he said.



"If the US responds weakly to the military exercises conducted by Chinese forces targeting Taiwan in the next few days, it will raise the question of whether it really supports Taiwan," he said. .



(Photo = Captured by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, Yonhap News)