The PLA’s Xi said, “These operations serve as a stern warning against separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and collusion between outside forces and their provocative activities.”
“The operations are necessary to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said eight Chinese warships and 42 fighter jets were detected around the island on Saturday.
The ministry expressed “strong condemnation of such irrational actions”, adding the detentions – which included 29 jets crossing Taiwan’s median line, the largest number this year – from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. local time (2200 GMT to 0300 GMT). ,
The ministry said China was using Tsai’s US visit “as a pretext to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region”.
The exercises also follow the departure from Beijing of French President Emmanuel Macron and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who were in China urging Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine.
‘We will never give up’
Last August, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets around Taiwan in its biggest show of force in years, following a visit to the island by McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi.
McCarthy, who is second in line for the US presidency, had originally planned to go to Taiwan himself.
The decision to meet in California instead was seen as a compromise that would underline support for Taiwan but avoid escalating tensions with Beijing.