Chinese and Taiwanese national flags are displayed alongside a military airplane in this illustration taken April 9, 2021. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
BEIJING — China’s military vowed Tuesday to launch “targeted military actions” in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, as tensions flare between Washington and Beijing.
“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army is on high alert and will launch a series of targeted military operations to counter this, resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely thwart external interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist attempts,” Defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian said in a statement condemning the visit.
Separately, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command said it will conduct joint military operations near Taiwan from Tuesday night, and will test-launch conventional missiles in the sea east of Taiwan.
The exercises will include joint air and sea drills in the north, southwest, northeast of Taiwan, long range live firing in the Taiwan Strait, and missiles test-launches in the sea east of Taiwan, the Easter Theatre Command said.
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