Chinese warplanes close to median line dividing Taiwan Strait before expected visit of U. S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Source
The Hindu
China has repeatedly warned against U. S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi going to Taiwan, which it claims as its own and the United States said on August 1 that it would not be intimidated by Chinese "sabre rattling" over the visit.
U. S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was expected to arrive in Taipei later on August 2, people briefed on the matter said, as several Chinese warplanes flew close to the median line dividing the Taiwan Strait, a source told Reuters.
China has repeatedly warned against Ms. Pelosi going to Taiwan, which it claims as its own and the United States said on August 1 that it would not be intimidated by Chinese "sabre rattling" over the visit.
In addition to Chinese planes flying close to the median line of the sensitive waterway on Tuesday morning, several Chinese warships had remained close to the unofficial dividing line since Monday, the source told Reuters.
The source said both Chinese warships and aircraft "squeezed" the median line on Tuesday morning, an unusual move the person described as "very provocative."
The person said the Chinese aircraft repeatedly conducted tactical moves of briefly "touching" the median line and circling back to the other side of the strait on Tuesday morning, while Taiwanese aircraft were on standby nearby. Neither side's aircraft normally cross the median line.
In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it has a full grasp of military activities near Taiwan and will appropriately dispatch forces in reaction to "enemy threats". China's Defence and Foreign Ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, which lies opposite Taiwan and is home to a large military presence, residents reported sightings of armoured vehicles on the move on Tuesday and posted pictures online.
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