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Two soldiers lower the national flag in Taipei
Photo: Chiang Ying Ying / dpa
Tension between the US and China has increased significantly over a possible trip to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
As a possible warning to Washington, Beijing announced military maneuvers near Taiwan on Saturday.
According to the authorities in China, parts of the waters in Fujian province were closed for a maneuver in which live ammunition was to be used.
The exercise was scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time).
The affected area is north of the Taiwan Strait, which separates mainland China and the island republic of Taiwan.
Beijing regards free Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and is trying every means to isolate it internationally.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fears of conquest have grown.
Taiwan's 23 million people have long considered themselves independent.
The United States has committed itself to Taiwan's ability to defend itself - which has so far primarily meant arms deliveries.
The Chinese leadership sees visits by foreign politicians as a provocation.
In the event of a visit to Taiwan by the Democrat Pelosi, Beijing had threatened significant consequences.
In a more than two-hour phone call with US President Joe Biden on Thursday, China's leader Xi Jinping warned his counterpart about the United States' Tawain policy.
"Those who play with fire will perish," he said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry;
This is not the first time he has issued this warning.
Pelosi has not officially canceled any trips to date.
It had been said from her circle that she was planning a trip to Asia with a visit to Taiwan.
Pelosi has not yet commented publicly on this.
When asked by a journalist on Friday, she said, "I never talk about my trips because, as some of you know, it's a safety issue." However, media reports say she has already invited Democrats and Republicans to accompany her on the trip .
According to the broadcaster CNN, the Pentagon is already working on security measures if the 82-year-old should really travel to Taiwan.
Last week, Beijing responded with unusually sharp warnings after the British Financial Times reported on the possible trip.
Chinese state media had also warned of significant consequences should Pelosi actually travel to Taiwan.
US President Joe Biden had reacted cautiously: "I think the military doesn't think it's a good idea at the moment."
A whole series of parliamentary delegations from the USA and the EU had recently visited Taiwan.
When Nicola Beer (FDP), Vice President of the European Parliament, traveled to Taiwan last week, there were hardly any consequences.
As has often been the case, Beijing left it with a verbal warning.
But for China, which sees the island republic as its own territory, the journey of a senior US politician like Pelosi seems to go too far.
According to observers, however, it is far from certain that China will actually respond militarily and thus risk a conflict on its own doorstep in times that are already turbulent.
dop/dpa