ANSA – Brazil China ends exercises against Taiwan, but promises to keep forces on standby 08/10/2022 08:14

Nearly a week later, China ended military exercises Wednesday in retaliation for the Taiwan visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Soldiers will be alert to changes in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, continue military training and preparations, regularly conduct combat readiness patrols, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese Armed Forces said in a statement.

The exercises began on August 4 and were scheduled to end on August 7, but Beijing has decided to extend the exercises until this Wednesday. These were the largest Chinese military activities around Taiwan, an island that the Asian giant considers a rebellious province.

President Xi Jinping has promised several times that he will reintegrate Taiwan, including through the use of force.

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The Chinese government released a document Wednesday saying it is willing to “create ample space for peaceful reunification”, but stressed that it will not allow “separatist activities for the independence” of the island.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, meanwhile, declared that Beijing was “ignoring reality on both sides of the strait”.