China fires missiles near Taiwan as PLA encircles island; Nancy Pelosi’s visit sparked outrage

China launched numerous missiles Thursday into ocean near Taiwan’s northeastern and southwestern coastlines, the island’s Defense Ministry reported, fulfilling Beijing’s threat to make Taipei pay for hosting US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to media sources. According to a statement from the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, several missiles have been shot into the water off the eastern coast of Taiwan, and all of the missiles struck their targets precisely, according to CNN.

According to the report, the statement read, “The entire live-fire training mission has been successfully completed and the relevant air and sea area control is now lifted.” According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, it began monitoring the August 4 firing of Chinese Dongfeng series missiles at approximately 1:56 p.m. (05:56 GMT). It said in a statement that it tracked the missile launches, which were aimed at the waters north-east and south-west of Taiwan, using a variety of early warning monitoring systems. The military ministry added that they have monitored the firing of long-range rockets and ammunition from the remote islands of Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.

China previously declared that naval, air force, and other agencies were conducting military training exercises in six zones encircling Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory that might be occupied by force. China has repeatedly urged its allies to refrain from recognising the island as a sovereign state and has promoted the “One China Policy” in the international sphere in an effort to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.