Taiwan: Joe Biden "concerned" by the continuation of Chinese exercises but does not expect an escalation

US President Joe Biden said Monday, August 8, he was concerned about the continuation of Chinese military exercises near Taiwan but said he did not expect an escalation.

“

,” he told reporters.

The Chinese army had launched vast maneuvers around Taiwan the day after the departure from Taipei of Nancy Pelosi, the head of the American deputies, whose visit aroused the ire of Beijing.

These exercises, at least in this configuration, were to end on Sunday noon according to the Chinese maritime security administration.

They were intended to practice a "

" of the island, according to official Chinese media.

But maneuvers continued.

Read alsoTaiwan: furious against the United States, China launches unprecedented military exercises

China has also suspended in retaliation a series of Sino-American discussions and cooperation, in particular on climate change.

Opposed to any initiative giving the Taiwanese authorities international legitimacy, Beijing is against any official contact between Taiwan and other countries.

American officials visit the island frequently, but China considers the visit of Nancy Pelosi, one of the highest figures in the American state, to have been a major provocation.