CRISIS BREWS IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT

Nancy Pelosi’s visit stokes tensions in region

CHINA has revealed plans for air and sea military exercises on an unprecedented scale near Taiwan, prompting fears of a crisis in the Taiwan insisted there’s no change in America’s “one-China policy,” which recognises Beijing but allows informal relations and defence ties with Taipei.

China’s exercises include test launches of missiles in the sea east of Taiwan. Three live-fire drills will overlap with the sea Taiwan claims is its territory, according to Chinese reports.

Taiwan, which has never been part of the People’s Republic of China, says it’s a sovereign nation with no need to declare independence. It has said it doesn’t want a conflict with China, but it will defend itself if necessary.

Analysts say that neither the US nor China have an appetite for war, but China is using the exercises to show its objections to Pelosi’s visit.