China announced Monday it will be extending military drills around Taiwan — a day after the scheduled end of its largest ever exercises, which were conducted in retaliation for last week’s controversial visit to Taipei by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

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China extends military drills around Taiwan after Pelosi visit

By Snejana Farberov

August 8, 2022 | 8:09am

China announced Monday it will be extending military drills around Taiwan — a day after the scheduled end of its largest ever exercises, which were conducted in retaliation for last week’s controversial visit to Taipei by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

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China’s Eastern Theatre Command said it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations — confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan’s defenses.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry headed by Joseph Wu condemned China’s decision to continue military drills, saying the country was still “deliberately creating crises and continues to provoke.”

Wu called on China to immediately stop the threatening exercises and “pull back from the edge,” but also sounded a defiant note.

“In the face of military intimidation created by China, Taiwan will not be afraid nor back down, and will more firmly defend its sovereignty, national security, and free and democratic way of life,” the ministry said in a statement.