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Propaganda poster by China's People's Liberation Army (photo from August 1)
Photo: MARK R. CRISTINO/EPA
China's response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan could further exacerbate the security situation in the region.
The Chinese military is apparently planning extensive maneuvers around the island.
In Taipei, there are now fears that the island could be cut off as a result.
According to the CNA news agency, Taiwan's military spoke of a "serious violation" of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and a violation of the country's sovereignty.
After Pelosi's visit, China's People's Liberation Army announced that it wanted to carry out target practice maneuvers around the island by Sunday and had designated six restricted areas for this purpose.
The maneuvers are the biggest military muscle flexing since the 1995 missile crisis, when China fired missiles over Taiwan to intimidate and the US deployed two aircraft carrier groups.
Ministry of Transport examines alternative routes
Taiwan's transport ministry has already consulted with Japan and the Philippines to determine alternative shipping routes while the maneuvers are held.
Consultations were also held with Taiwan's aviation and maritime authorities on how to react.
The first Chinese retaliatory measures for the Pelosi visit have apparently already come into force, according to the AP news agency.
Accordingly, China has banned the import of citrus fruits and fish from Taiwan.
Measures against the high-tech industry, whose business relationships worth billions connect China and Taiwan despite the ongoing dispute and the lack of official diplomatic channels, have not been taken so far.
Beijing claims power over Taiwan and only sees the island as part of the People's Republic.
China therefore strictly rejects official contacts from other countries to Taipei and had vehemently warned the USA against a trip to Taiwan by Pelosi (read more about the conflict here).
However, Pelosi had ignored the threats and also ignored at times concerns from the White House.
Pelosi arrived on the island with a US delegation late Tuesday evening (local time).
At a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Pelosi stressed that the US will "always stand by Taiwan's side."
She also praised Taiwan as “one of the freest societies in the world” – a dig at the authoritarian superpower China.
fek/dpa
