Voice of America
18 Sep 2020, 17:05 GMT+10
China said Friday it was conducting military exercises near the Taiwan Strait, as a top U.S. diplomat visits the self-ruled island in a move that has angered Beijing.
Relations between the United States and China are at their lowest point in decades, with the two sides clashing over a range of trade, military and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.
Keith Krach, U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, landed in Taipei Thursday for a three-day visit, the highest-ranking State Department official to visit in 40 years.
At a press conference on Friday, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said Beijing was "holding actual combat exercises near the Taiwan Strait" when asked how it would respond to the visit.
"This is a legitimate and necessary action taken to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait," Ren Guoqiang told reporters.
Ren also warned that the Chinese military had "sufficient ability" to counter any external threat or challenge from Taiwan separatists.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, to be absorbed into the Chinese mainland -- by force if necessary.
China's Communist leadership baulks at any recognition of Taiwan -- which has been ruled separately from China since the end of a civil war in 1949 -- and has pursued a decades-long policy of marginalizing the democratic island.
Ren accused the United States of "frequently causing trouble" over Taiwan, which he said "is purely China's internal affairs, and we won't tolerate any external interference".
According to Taipei's defense ministry, 18 Chinese aircraft -- including bombers and fighters -- entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday and also crossed the so-called median line that divides the Taiwan Strait.
The ministry said Taiwan's military "scrambled fighters, and deployed air defense missile system to monitor the activities".
"We hope the other side can exercise restraint and not... heighten conflicts between the two sides. These military intimidations have caused resentment among the Taiwanese people," it said in a statement.
In recent weeks, Taiwan has reported a sharp rise in incursions by Chinese warplanes into its ADIZ.
Chinese jets also made a brief incursion across the midline of the strait separating the two sides in August, as US health chief Alex Azar made his country's highest-level visit to Taiwan since 1979 -- the year Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
Washington's increased outreach to Taiwan under President Donald Trump has become yet another U.S.-China flashpoint.
The U.S. said Krach was visiting Taiwan to attend Saturday's memorial service for late president Lee Teng-hui, who died in July aged 97.
On Friday, Krach met with foreign minister Joseph Wu to discuss various bilateral issues and exchange view on future collaborations, according to Taipei authorities. He is also scheduled to join President Tsai Ing-wen for dinner at her official residence.
China has ramped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power in 2016, as she refuses to acknowledge its idea that the democratic island is part of "one China".
Get a daily dose of China National News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to China National News.
More InformationSYDNEY, Australia: Australian businesses are feeling optimistic about their prospects in China despite escalating global trade tensions,...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's top oil company, Rosneft, has taken over control of the country's largest rare earth metals deposit, Tomtor,...
GOTHENBURG, Sweden: Volvo Cars is stepping up its collaboration with Google to become the lead development partner for Android automotive...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets fell Friday as President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on the European Union,...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Levi Strauss is parting ways with Dockers. The denim giant announced this week that it will sell the Dockers...
OTTAWA, Canada: Canada's inflation picture became more complicated in April, with headline inflation easing but core measures ticking...
Leela found joy in dancing. Megan loved the freedom of ice skating. Ronya was always singing along to pop songs. Cherie's favourite...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australian businesses are feeling optimistic about their prospects in China despite escalating global trade tensions,...
SYDNEY, Australia - A pharmacist has been charged after allegedly defrauding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) of more than...
BEIJING, China: Huawei has launched its first laptops running on its proprietary HarmonyOS, marking a significant step in its effort...
TOKYO, Japan: Nissan is reportedly considering shutting down two car assembly plants in Japan and several overseas factories, including...
BEIJING, China: China's sales of heavy trucks could be dominated by electric vehicles by 2028, with battery-powered models potentially...