US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan Tuesday evening. Moments later, China’s navy announced a number of drills surrounding Taiwan, including exercises 20km from Kaohsiung. Now the Taiwanese military is on high alert.
After weeks of buildup, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has finally arrived in Taiwan.
And China has already responded. Moments after Pelosi landed, China’s navy announced a series of exercises in waters around Taiwan. Some of these drills will occur only 20km from Taiwan’s shore. Taiwan’s navy has responded. In southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung, battleships and submarines were mobilized on Wednesday.
Experts say these Chinese exercises represent a clear threat to Taiwan.
Researcher Chang Ching says China is hoping to instill fear in Taiwanese people. He says Beijing is waging cognitive warfare and seeks to scare and intimidate Taiwan’s population.
Locals in Kaohsiung, though, think war is unlikely.
One resident says key electronic goods ship out from Kaohsiung. So, it’s likely China knows that Washington won’t allow disruptions to a vital part of global trade.
Another resident says China knows war will hurt their bottom line.
No matter China’s intentions, Taiwan’s military is staying prepared.