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Taiwan says China is preparing for invasion
Taipei’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Tuesday (August 9) that China is using its large-scale militarily exercises around Taiwan to prepare for an invasion of the self-governed island.
Wu said during a press conference: “China has used the drills and its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan.”
The diplomat said that Beijing is engaging in “large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyber-attacks, a disinformation campaign and economic coercion in order to weaken public morale in Taiwan.”
China launched war games including live-fire drills in six maritime areas around Taiwan last week in response to US House Speaker Nanacy Pelosi’s visit to the island.
On Monday (August 8), China's defence ministry defended its shelving of military talks with the United States in protest against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last week, warning that Washington must bear "serious consequences.”
"The current tense situation in the Taiwan Strait is entirely provoked and created by the U.S. side on its own initiative, and the U.S. side must bear full responsibility and serious consequences for this," defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said in an online post.
Pelosi's visit to Taiwan: China says Washington must bear 'serious consequences'
Wu said: "The bottom line cannot be broken, and communication requires sincerity."
China called off formal talks involving theatre-level commands, defence policy co-ordination and military maritime consultations on Friday (August 5) as Pelosi left the region.
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