Chinese fighters and ships continue military exercises
US insists on de-escalation of tensions over Taiwan
Part of the missile force exercises of the Chinese army.
Reuters
Anthony Blinken: The Chinese army announces new live-fire exercises that will continue until August 15th.
picture
Taiwan's foreign ministry announced that Chinese fighters and ships continued their large-scale military exercises around Taiwan yesterday, a day after the Chinese army sent a record number of warplanes and naval vessels to areas around the island, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed the United States' determination to calm tensions in the island. Taiwan Strait.
Several planes and ships crossed the unofficial central line in the 130-kilometre-wide Taiwan Strait that separates the island from mainland China.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Jason Wu condemned on Twitter what he described as "the dangerous escalation and military threat to stability in the region."
For his part, the US Secretary of State, during his visit to the Philippines yesterday, announced his country's insistence on easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait to maintain the region's security and ensure unimpeded access to the main waterway.
On a one-day visit, Blinken met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Secretary of State Enrique Manalo, and other government officials.
The visit came amid Chinese military exercises with live ammunition, in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.
"We always stand by our partners," Blinken told reporters after his meetings with Marcus Jr. and Manalo.
It is important to emphasize that because of what is happening north of here, in the Taiwan Strait.”
"Since China launched about a dozen ballistic missiles toward Taiwan two days ago, we have heard from allies and partners across the region that they are deeply concerned about destabilizing and dangerous acts," he added.
Blinken stressed that Washington will keep the lines of communication open with Beijing, to avoid any misunderstanding, while working with regional organizations and allies to ensure peace and stability across the strait.
“Our allies and partners across the region have told us, in no uncertain terms, that they are looking for responsible leadership today.
So let me be clear, America does not believe that an escalation of the situation is in the interest of Taiwan, the region, or our national security.”
In his meeting with Marcos Jr., Blinken stressed Washington's commitment to the two countries' mutual defense agreement and told the Philippine president that America looks forward to working with his administration to strengthen the alliance with the Philippines.
For his part, Marcos Jr. said that recent regional and global tensions, such as Pelosi's visit to Taiwan and the war between Russia and Ukraine, have highlighted the importance of the relationship between Manila and Washington.
He referred to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which obligates America and the Philippines to assist each other in the event of foreign aggression, and to develop it continuously.
Beijing considered Pelosi's visit to Taiwan a "provocation" after Washington had committed not to establish official relations with the island, which China considers part of its territory.
In response to the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced it was halting cooperation with Washington on a range of core issues, including drug control and talks on climate change.
The Chinese army announced that it has deployed fighters, bombers, a number of destroyers and escort boats to participate in the exercises it is conducting, and Beijing has announced new exercises with live ammunition that will continue until August 15 in a small marine area very close to the Chinese port of Lianyungang (east), near the Yellow Sea, which It separates China and the Korean Peninsula.
Illuminated bombs to drive away drones
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said yesterday it had fired flares to drive away seven drones flying over the remote Kinmen islands and to warn unidentified planes flying over the remote Matsu islands.
The ministry said troops were placed on high alert in the two areas off the coast of mainland China after Beijing launched large-scale military exercises in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
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