China continues to simulate attack on Taiwan, says Taipei

Shanghai, China, Aug 7 (EFE).- Taiwan denounced Sunday that the Chinese armed forces continue to simulate attacks on the island and its naval forces on what should be the last day of military maneuvers by Beijing.

The military drills by Beijing were announced in retaliation to United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-governing island, claimed by China.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, in a statement on its website, said that on Sunday morning it detected multiple groups of planes, ships and drones operating around the Formosa Strait.

According to the document, the Chinese forces continues to carry out joint exercises by sea and air, simulating attacks against Taiwan and its ships at sea, while aircraft hovered around other islands controlled by Taipei.

In response, as during the last few days, the Taiwanese forces deployed their aircraft and ships after closely monitoring the enemy’s situation.

On Saturday night, the Taiwanese ministry said that up to 20 planes and 14 ships of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China participated in the maneuvers around Taiwan during the day.

The PLA’s actions are a part of the military exercises it has been carrying out since Thursday and which, is expected to conclude Sunday.

So far, the maneuvers have included live fire and the launch of long-range missiles.

These exercises have been underway in six areas around the island, one of them about 20 kilometers off the coast of Kaohsiung, the main city in southern Taiwan.

Taiwan has described China’s military presence in these areas as a “blockade,” and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen termed China’s moves as “irresponsible.”

China, which called Pelosi’s visit a “farce” and a “deplorable betrayal”, claims sovereignty over the island and considers Taiwan a rebel province since Kuomintang nationalists withdrew there in 1949, after losing the civil war. EFE

vec/sc