By Richard Connor and Zac Crellin/DW
China announced “major” military exercises around Taiwan on Monday amid rising tensions with Japan over the status of the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.
Taiwan’s Transport Ministry said more than 100,000 air passengers on scheduled international flights would be affected by the drills on Tuesday.
The manoeuvres around Taiwan come after Beijing expressed anger at US arms sales to Taipei and a statement from Japan that its military could get involved if China acted against Taiwan.
While China’s military has conducted live-fire drills and practiced port blockades around Taiwan in the past, Monday’s announcement was the first time it publicly stated that drills were aimed at “deterrence” of outside military intervention.
What we know about China’s latest drills around Taiwan
Taiwan said it detected 89 Chinese military aircraft near its shores — the highest figure in a single day since last year. Some 28 Chinese warships and coastguard
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