Taiwan's leader vows to 'steadfastly defend' sovereignty after China drills

Taiwan's leader has vowed to steadfastly defend the island's sovereignty after a series of military drills by China in the region.
President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan was ready to respond with force if necessary.

China sees self-ruling Taiwan as a wayward province and has recently increased pressure on it diplomatically, economically, and militarily.

Tensions have risen further since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last week.

Ms. Pelosi's visit, which China sees as provocative, prompted Beijing to announce live-fire drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called a necessary step to safeguard its sovereignty.

In response, President Tsai said Taiwan was fully prepared and would not bow down to intimidation, adding that she had instructed the island's military to respond with force if necessary.

Her comments came after the US warned China not to engage in any threatening gestures toward Taiwan.

We urge Beijing to refrain from economic or military coercion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, adding that Washington would fly aircraft carriers through the Taiwan Strait.

Ms. Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, and her trip has triggered a diplomatic backlash from China.

Beijing has reacted with anger and indignation, cancelling several meetings with the US and expelling four American journalists from three major newspapers over alleged bias in their reporting of events surrounding the visit.

The US has maintained that Ms Pelosi's visit was consistent with long-standing policies supporting Taiwan and did not constitute a threat to Beijing.

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