The far east unleashes its power: Worldwide outrage as ballistic missiles fly over Taiwan
Japan demands ‘immediate’ stop to military drills or risk destroying peace in the region
China ratcheted up the military intimidation of Taiwan yesterday by firing ballistic missiles which flew over the island and landed within Japanese waters.
As promised with the ruling Communist Party, 4 days of war games encircling Taiwan began just before 2pm (local time) with wave after wave of rocket launches, while Chinese aircraft took to the skies plus ten warships patrolled the sea.
Five high-powered missiles fired from the mainland flew over Taiwan, Japanese officials said, and stepped into the sea south associated with Hateruma Island, part of Okinawa. The series of islands are part of Japan’s ‘ exclusive economic zone’, which extends 200 nautical kilometers from its coast.
The test-firing, which triggered widespread international condemnation, was Beijing’s response to US Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan earlier this week.
It prompted an immediate diplomatic protest by Tokyo plus raised fears a further miscalculation by China could spark war. Japan’s defence ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Nobuo Kishi said: ‘ This is a grave issue that concerns our country’s nationwide security and people’s basic safety. ‘
International minister Yoshimasa Hayashi required an ‘ immediate stop’ to the military drills, adding: ‘ China’s actions on this occasion have a serious impact on the peace and stability of the region and the international community. ‘
And US Admin of State Antony Blinken warned: ‘ Countries around the world believe escalation serves nobody and could have unintended consequences that serve no their interests.
‘ I hope very much Beijing will never manufacture a crisis or seek a pretext to increase its aggressive military activity. ‘
