The previous exercises have just stopped. The Chinese Communist Party, which rules the mainland, claims Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan claims to be an independent nation known as the Republic of China. Tensions between the two have risen recently following visits by American politicians. The drills are intended as a “decisive response and serious deterrent against US-Taiwan collusion and provocation,” China’s defense ministry said. Nancy Pelosi became the first Speaker of the US House to travel to the island in 25 years when she stopped by earlier this month. In retaliation, China conducted a series of drills, including firing missiles over Taiwan and warplanes and navy ships crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait. The latest round of exercises was announced as a US congressional delegation visited Taiwan. It is not yet clear when they will take place. The delegation included Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey, California Democratic Representatives John Garamedi and Alan Lowenthal, Virginia Democratic Representative Don Beyer, and American Samoa Republican Representative Aumua Amata. Subscribe to the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker According to NBC News, they were to meet with Taiwanese leaders to discuss security, trade, supply chains and other issues. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement: “At a time when China continues to escalate regional tensions, the US Congress is once again organizing a heavy delegation to Taiwan to show its undaunted friendship and demonstrate its strong US support on the island”.
