Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Taiwan holds military drill amid rising tensions with China

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Aug 2022 08:36
4 Min Read

Taipei conducts a military drill and accuses China of wanting to "alter the status quo".

  • x
  • Taiwanese troops (Archive)
    Taiwanese troops (Archive)

Taiwan held an artillery drill Tuesday simulating defense against an attack, as its top diplomat accused Beijing of preparing to invade the island after large-scale Chinese drills.

China launched its largest-ever air and sea exercises around Taiwan last week following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei.

"China has used the drills and its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan," Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday, claiming that Beijing is using Pelosi's visit as a pretext for military action.

"China's real intention is to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and entire region," he claimed.

Washington said it did not expect an escalation from Beijing

Taipei's drill started in the southern county of Pingtung shortly after 0040 GMT with the firing of target flares and artillery, ending just under an hour later at 0130 GMT, said Lou Woei-jye, spokesperson for Taiwan's Eighth Army Corps. 

Soldiers fired from howitzers tucked into the coast, hidden from view of the road that leads to popular beach destination Kenting.

The drills, which will continue Thursday, included the deployment of hundreds of troops and about 40 howitzers, the army said. 

On Monday, Lou claimed that the drills had been scheduled previously and were not in response to China's exercises. 

The anti-landing exercises come after China extended its own joint sea and air drills around Taiwan on Monday, but Washington said it did not expect an escalation from Beijing.

"I'm not worried, but I'm concerned they're moving as much as they are. But I don't think they're going to do anything more than they are," US President Joe Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base.

Taiwan thanks Western allies, including the US

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu condemned Beijing for extending its military exercises around the island, accusing it of trying to control the Taiwan Strait and waters in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Related News

Iraq’s PMF law seen as test of sovereignty amid US objections

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

"It is conducting large-scale military exercises and missile launches, as well as cyber-attacks, a disinformation campaign and economic coercion in order to weaken public morale in Taiwan," he claimed.

Wu went on to thank Western allies, including the US after Pelosi's visit, for standing up to China.

PLA: Exercises were aimed at enhancing ability of air & sea units

Taiwan claims that no Chinese warplanes or ships entered its territorial waters -- within 12 nautical miles of land -- during Beijing's drills.

The Chinese military, however, released a video last week of an air force pilot filming the island's coastline and mountains from his cockpit, showing how close it had come to Taiwan's shores.

Ballistic missiles were fired over Taiwan's capital, Taipei, during the exercises last week, according to Chinese state media.

On Tuesday, the Chinese military released more details about the anti-submarine drills it had conducted a day earlier around the island.

The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command said the exercises were aimed at enhancing the ability of air and sea units to work together while hunting submarines.

It said maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, helicopters, and a destroyer practiced locating and attacking targets in the waters off Taiwan.

Military drills by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command continue around the Taiwan region. #PLA #militarydrills pic.twitter.com/J8zYFzAhMU

— CGTN Global Watch (@GlobalWatchCGTN) August 9, 2022

"Firm, forceful, and appropriate"

On Monday, Beijing described its behavior as "firm, forceful, and appropriate" to US provocation. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin pointed out that "(We) are only issuing a warning to the perpetrators."

China would "firmly smash the Taiwan authorities' illusion of gaining independence through the US," Wang told a regular briefing.

"We urge the US to do some earnest reflection, and immediately correct its mistakes," he added.

It is noteworthy that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi had said the Chinese government will undoubtedly complete the process of reunification with Taiwan.

Commenting on Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Wang affirmed that "Taiwan is a part of China. The implementation of national reunification is a general trend and historic imminence."

Read more: Biden war criminal, Taiwan part of China: Pink Floyd's Roger Waters

  • United States
  • Taiwan
  • Beijing
  • Taipei
  • US
  • Nancy Pelosi
  • China

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS