China scrambles jets and announces military drills after Pelosi lands in Taiwan

[Boats]

China scrambles jets and announces military drills after Pelosi lands in Taiwan
By: Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - 08-02-22
Re: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/p...-pelosi-taiwan


Beijing announced new military drills in the waters surrounding Taiwan following Speaker Nancy Pelosi's arrival on the island.

Pelosi's plane landed safely in Taipei on Tuesday in defiance of Beijing's warnings. In response, China scrambled fighter jets to fly over the Taiwan Straits and announced unprecedented military drills in the waters surrounding Taiwan, according to the Global Times, a Chinese state-affiliated outlet.

"PLA Eastern Theater Command to hold joint military ops around Taiwan, with joint maritime & air drills in N, SW, SE of island, long-range artillery shooting in Taiwan Straits, & conventional missile test firing in sea regions E of island starting Tue night," a PLA spokesman was quoted as saying.

NANCY PELOSI LANDS IN TAIWAN FOR HISTORIC VISIT, PLEDGING 'UNWAVERING COMMITMENT' TO DEMOCRACY

The start date was moved up to Tuesday from the previously announced date of Thursday, given a half-hour before. The outlet also provided a map showing the areas included in the exercise, which completely surround the island.

The PLA took immediate action, reportedly scrambling fighter jets as Pelosi's flight entered Taiwanese airspace. Su-35 fighter jets were sent across the Taiwan Straits as Pelosi's plane was still in the air, Chinese state media CGTN reported.

Videos circulated on social media showing the activation of combat sirens in Fujian province, the closest to Taiwan in mainland China.

Other videos taken earlier in the day by Chinese netizens appear to show large groups of armored vehicles in Fujian province, including amphibious tanks.

"Pelosi has landed in Taiwan, opening an era of high-intensity competition between China and US over Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is close to Chinese mainland and Beijing has sufficient cards at hand. We will play them one by one confidently. The PLA is announcing a series of actions," Global Times commentator Hu Xijin tweeted, following Pelosi's landing in Taiwan.
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Personal note: "Way to go Pelosi!!" - You caught them with
their shorts down!
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We will await your safe return and any dope on the current situation in Taiwan. I'm happy you made the I hope you had a escort if not - you made a complete surprice on China. Way to go gal - I salute you!
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You should get a Medal for bravery - ya never know the President may surprise you for your bravery!?
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