China clarifies the purpose of the exercises near Taiwan.

The Chinese military exercises near Taiwan launched last week should not be perceived as retaliation for the visit of the island’s leader, Tsai Ing-wen, to the US. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has explained that the real danger to peace in the region comes from the “separatist activities” of people supporting Taiwan’s independence from Beijing. The drill was launched on Saturday, the day after Tsai returned from the US, where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers. The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army had earlier described the drills as countering “the collusive and provocative acts of the external forces and the ’Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.” The drill was launched on Saturday, the day after Tsai returned from the US, where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers. Taiwan served as the last stronghold of the nationalist forces during the Chinese Civil War.

In 1979, the US recognized the People’s Republic of China and established diplomatic relations with it. Tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have been escalating for years, with Beijing saying state visits by US officials undermine its sovereignty. US President Joe Biden has publicly stated that the US military would come to the defense of Taiwan should China try to take it by force. Washington has also boosted its supply of weapons to the Taiwanese military, claiming doing so is needed to deter Beijing. Chinese policy states peaceful unification with Taiwan as its primary goal, but Beijing has refused to rule out military action to stop an attempt by Taiwan at declaring formal independence.