Jets scrambled in response to China’s military drills – as furious Beijing issues dire warnings to US after Pelosi visit | Taiwan latest

China and the United States say they do not want to go to war over Taiwan but rising military activity around the territory risks an accidental exchange that escalates out of control, writes Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes.

A visit to Taipei this week by Nancy Pelosi, the third-highest-ranking US politician, prompted Beijing to announce its largest naval and air force drills around the island for more than 25 years, with live firing exercises scheduled from Thursday to Sunday.

The G7 group of nations then voiced concern about what they described as China’s “threatening actions”, warning that there was no justification to use the US Democrat’s travel as a “pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait”.

The “escalatory response risks increasing tensions and destabilising the region”, they said.

That is true.

But Ms Pelosi’s decision to become the most senior American lawmaker to travel to Taiwan since the 1990s was perhaps an unhelpful and unnecessary act of defiance at a time when relations between Beijing and the West are already difficult and with a war raging in Europe.

The House Speaker said it was important for world leaders to be able to visit Taiwan freely, rather than bowing to Chinese pressure to steer clear.

However, the timing and coordination of such a move should also be a factor given it is bound to antagonise Chinese President Xi Jinping and disrupt the delicate balancing act of diplomatic relations, in particular between China and the United States.

Ms Pelosi’s actions could even end up pushing Beijing closer to Moscow at a time when western allies need Chinese leaders to restrain from offering President Vladimir Putin military support following his invasion of Ukraine.

It is notable that US President Joe Biden advised against her trip, while US allies in the Asia-Pacific region have not rushed to praise her 19-hour flying visit as part of a regional tour.

Read Deborah’s full story below.