China to axe US alliances over Taiwan
COOPERATION ENDED AND PELOSI RAPPED
CHINA has hit US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with sanctions after her trip to Taiwan.
It also staged unprecedented military drills around Taiwan, and claims it is halting its cooperation with Washington.
The move comes after Ms Pelosi visited Taipei and said the US will not abandon Taiwan as a self-governing island.
China said it will no longer communicate with the United States in a number of areas, including between theatre-level military commanders and on climate change, in a furore over Ms Pelosi’s visit.
China’s foreign ministry said it was also suspending exchanges with Washington on countering cross-border crime and drug trafficking.
And Beijing separately announced it will impose sanctions on Ms Pelosi personally and her immediate family in response to her ‘vicious and provocative’ actions.
A military spokesman said: “In response to Pelosi’s egregious provocation, China decides to adopt sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family members in accordance with relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China.”
There are no specific details about the nature of the sanctions.
Furious China began to launch military drills in the seas and skies around Taiwan on Thursday.
The live-fire drills, the largest ever conducted by China in the Taiwan Strait, are scheduled to continue until tomorrow.
Missions
A total of 68 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships had conducted missions in the strait.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi warned: “We wish to issue a warning to the United States: Do not act rashly, do not create a greater crisis.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has repeatedly made clear to Beijing it does not seek a crisis.