The People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) on Monday, August 8, continued large-scale military exercises at sea and in airspace around the island of Taiwan. As part of these exercises, “the organization of joint anti-submarine operations and naval offensive” is being worked out, according to a statement from the East Zone of the PLA Combat Command.

In addition, Beijing is preparing to conduct live fires in southern China and the Yellow Seas. When the exercises come to an end, it is not reported. Initially, they were supposed to end on August 7th.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned China’s decision to extend the exercise, saying the country was deliberately creating crises. The department demanded that Beijing stop hostilities.

PLA exercises in Taiwan began after Pelosi’s visit

Chinese military exercises began at six locations around Taiwan on Aug. 4 after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island. The PLA’s Eastern Combat Command Zone said the maneuvers were designed to test the Chinese army’s ability to carry out land and sea attacks.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Aug. 8 that the maneuvers were a “necessary warning” to the US and Taiwan. This is a “fair and proper” response to their taunts, he said. The US “deliberately” created the current tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, he said, arranging for Pelosi’s visit to the island despite protests from Beijing.