The Japan-based Reagan is operating alongside a guided missile cruiser, the USS Antietam, and a destroyer, the USS Higgins. Demonstrators holding a sign proclaiming “American witch get out of Taiwan, China” take part in a protest against Pelosi’s visit in Taipei on Tuesday. The carrier USS Ronald Reagan had crossed the South China Sea and was currently located in the Philippine Sea, east of Taiwan and south of Japan, Navy officials confirmed to Reuters on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the US Navy has positioned four warships, including an aircraft carrier, in waters east of Taiwan on “routine” deployments. In the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, which lies opposite Taiwan and is home to a large military presence, residents reported sightings of armored vehicles on the move on Tuesday and posted pictures online.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement it has a full grasp of military activities near the island and will appropriately dispatch forces in reaction to “enemy threats.” Neither side’s aircraft normally cross the median line. The Chinese planes left the area Tuesday afternoon but Beijing’s ships remained, the person said. AP Pelosi (second from left) met with Malaysia Parliament speaker Azhar Azizan Harun (right) during the second leg of her Asian tour. She is pictured touring the parliament in Kuala Lumpur. Pelosi was expected to arrive in Taipei, Taiwan, later Tuesday, after wrapping up her visit to Malaysia. The person added that Taiwanese aircraft were on standby nearby while the exercises were performed.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi predicted that US politicians who “play with fire” on the Taiwan issue will “come to no good end,” according to a ministry statement that did not mention Pelosi by name.Ĭhinese aircraft spent Tuesday morning repeatedly conducting tactical moves in which they briefly “touched” the so-called “median line” dividing Beijing and Taipei’s airspace and maritime territory before circling back to the other side of the strait, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters. “Speaker Pelosi…Welcome to TW …TW US,” the message read.īeijing has repeatedly warned against Pelosi (D-Calif.) going to the island nation, which it claims as its own, while the US has said it would not be intimidated by Chinese “saber-rattling.” Just minutes before Pelosi and a congressional delegation was expected to land Tuesday, the Taipei 101 skyscraper displayed a welcome message. warships transit Taiwan Strait, first since Pelosi visitĪs Chinese planes and warships “squeezed” the imaginary line dividing the Taiwan Strait in a “very provocative” move ahead of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the island nation welcomed the California Democrat with open arms. Taiwan forces fire at drones flying over island near China Tough times ahead, send back the 7th Fleet and other commentary Nursing home hires stripper for seniors in wheelchairs: ‘We are very sorry’