China is conducting a series of large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, practicing its blockade of the island.
US Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam pass through the Taiwan Strait, the first since Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei, Reuters reports.
U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that warships were involved in an operation that is still ongoing.
The passage of the cruisers comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have escalated since Pelosi's visit.
Also read: Taiwan rejects China's 'one country, two systems' plan for the island
Immediately after Pelosi's departure, China began a series of large-scale military exercises near Taiwan. The Chinese military practiced the blockade of the island and the landing on the conditional island.
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The status quo surrounding the self-governing island claimed by China and whose burgeoning democracy America supports is changing in dangerous ways. The Economist writes how to prevent a war between America and China over Taiwan.
See special topic: China's armed forces are brought into combat readiness against the background of the passage of US warships near Taiwan The Chinese military said they are ready to stop provocations at any time. China announces new military drills around Taiwan amid new US delegation visit China says it wants to establish its control over Taiwan peacefully, but its intensified military drills around the island in connection with active American support for the island nation's independence show about the threat of seizure by force. Taiwan rejects China's “one country, two systems” plan for the island Beijing, for its part, does not rule out the use of force to seize Taiwan. China again threatens to use military force to seize Taiwan Beijing says it will “make efforts to achieve peaceful reunification” with the island, but will not back down if necessary and from the military. New Zealand can become a member of the defense alliance AUKUS The alliance was created by Australia, Great Britain and the USA, in particular, to contain China.
