Irate China goes ballistic after Pelosi visits Taiwan
Taiwan’s armed forces were on high alert during China’s belligerent and highly threatening military exercise. (Photo: Taiwan MND)
China launched a massive joint military exercise to retaliate against a historical visit to Taiwan by US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi during her trip to Asia.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intensified tensions, forcing the Taiwanese armed forces – which had just concluded the annual Han Kuang exercise – to recall troops at short notice.
China kicked off joint military live-fire exercises on 4 August in what might become known as the ‘Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis’. From the time Beijing issued a statement and started mobilising troops, it took less than 72h.
The scale and range of the
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.