Taiwan president says China's military threat has not decreased

11/8/2022 18:09

        The threat of force from China has not decreased but Taiwan will not escalate conflict or provoke disputes, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Thursday.
        
        Furious about a visit to self-ruled Taiwan last week by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China had earlier extended its largest-ever exercises around the island it claims as its own beyond the four days originally scheduled.
        
        China's military said on Wednesday it had "completed various tasks" around Taiwan but would conduct regular patrols, signalling a possible end to the days of war games but also that Beijing would maintain pressure on the island.
        
        Last week's Chinese exercises included launches of ballistic missiles, some of which flew over the island's capital of Taipei, and simulated sea and air attacks in surrounding skies and waters.