On the third day of large-scale military exercises around the island, China simulated attacks on Taiwan.
The Taipei Defense Ministry said , adding that several People's Liberation Army fighters and ships were detected "around the Strait", with some "crossing the midline" in a "possible simulated attack" action.
The Taiwanese army responded by following the protocol: radio alarms, sending air patrols and military ships (already mobilized yesterday to follow the Chinese units like a shadow) and deploying ground missile systems.
The Chinese exercises, now on the third day, are the response to the visit of the speaker of the American House Nancy Pelosi , the highest-ranking institutional figure to go to the island in the last 25 years.
For Beijing, it was a violation of the United States' commitments towards the One China policy and a step of encouragement for the island's pro-independence front. The Communist leadership considers Taiwan an integral part of the Chinese territory, to be reunified even by force, if necessary.
(Unioneonline / D)