Chinese planes and warships crossed the ‘midline’ of the Taiwan Strait on the second day of full-scale military exercises in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei. the island has defined the latest maneuvers as “highly provocative”.
Starting at 11 local (there were 5 in Italy), “more Chinese warplanes and warships conducted exercises around the Taiwan Strait and crossed the midline of the Strait,” the ministry said. China kicked off the exercises yesterday, which will close on Monday, in response to Pelosi’s 19-hour visit to Taipei, which Beijing considers an “inalienable” part of its territory, to be reunified even by force, if necessary.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines cancels flights to and from Taiwan due to “increasing airspace restrictions” due to dangerous Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
“The safety of our staff and passengers is our priority,” said the airline spokesperson in an interview with CNA Asia.