MOSCOW, August 4. /ST/. China’s increased military activity in the Asia-Pacific region amid a visit to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is Beijing’s sovereign right, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
“As for [military] maneuvers [in the Asia-Pacific region around Taiwan] – this is China’s sovereign right,” the Kremlin spokesman said, commenting on the situation in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Peskov stressed that the resulting “tensions in the region around Taiwan were triggered artificially”. “You and I are well aware of what provoked them: Nancy Pelosi’s visit. It was a completely unnecessary visit and unnecessary provocation,” he added.
US House Speaker Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday night despite Beijing’s protests. This is the first visit of an American politician of such rank in 25 years. Beijing has repeatedly warned the American side that if the visit takes place, it will not go without consequences, and China will take tough measures.
Tiday, the Chinese army began its military exercises around Taiwan in the largest maneuvers ever conducted in the vicinity of the island.
The Chinese CCTV channel reported that the military exercises began in a number of areas around Taiwan and will continue until next Sunday noon.
The Chinese CCTV channel said that these exercises will take place in a series of areas encircling Taiwan, some of which are only twenty kilometers from the island’s coast.
Basma Qaddour