After the arrival of the US Speaker, China's military practises "encircling" Taiwan.

China has started three days of military exercises around Taiwan after the island’s president met the US House Speaker in defiance of repeated threats by Beijing. The exercises, dubbed “United Sharp Sword,” have been denounced by Taiwan, as China sees Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. A total of 71 Chinese warplanes crossed over the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, with 45 entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. Nine Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) vessels were also detected. The drills come a day after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a 10-day visit to Central America and the United States where she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

China claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan and has spent decades trying to isolate it diplomatically. Incursions by Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone occur on an almost daily basis. Taiwan’s defense ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation and would make every effort to defend national security and sovereignty. China reacted in a similar fashion when then US House Speaker Nancy The August exercises in Taiwan involved dozens of Chinese warplanes crossing into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone and PLA Navy warships in maneuvers in waters around Taiwan. Tsai's meeting with US House Speaker John McCarthy highlighted the strengthening ties between Taipei and Washington, even though they remain unofficial in nature.

The US withdrew its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan back in 1979, meaning it does not officially recognize it as a country, but it supports Taiwan’s ability to defend itself by selling arms to Taipei. Following the meeting, the US House Speaker said his country should continue to boost its support for Taiwan, particularly with trade and technology.