China accused Tsai of pushing Taiwan into “stormy waters” on Wednesday after military drills in response to her meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
Tsai said Taiwan’s abroad tour, which included a meeting with McCarthy in the U.S. and visits to Guatemala and Belize, underlined its commitment to freedom and democracy.
The trip incensed Beijing, sparking military maneuvers to prove it could firmly seize control of the self-ruled island, which China claims.
Four sources told Reuters that China plans to establish a no-fly zone north of Taiwan from April 16 to 18.
Two anonymous officials from outside China claimed the ban would disrupt Taiwan’s northern flight information region (FIR) and that the rationale for the restrictions was unclear.
One senior source with firsthand information claimed the flight suspension would disrupt 60%-70% of flights between Northeast and Southeast Asia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and North America.
The no-fly zone “may cover space operations like satellite launches,” Taiwan’s defense ministry warned Wednesday.
China considers Tsai a separatist and has rejected her discussion requests. Tsai supports peace but will protect Taiwan if attacked.
“Tsai Ing-wen endangered Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen basically entirely supported the U.S., leading Taiwan into stormy waters “Wednesday’s TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian stated.
Zhu called the Taiwan drills “a significant warning against the collaboration and provocation of Taiwan independence separatist groups and external forces.”
Tsai returned to Taiwan a day before the drills and claimed the tour successfully rallied solidarity against an aggressor endangering Taiwan’s freedom.
“With this journey we again delivered a message to the world community that Taiwan is dedicated to protect freedom and democracy which garnered appreciation and support from our democratic friends,” Tsai told Canadian M.P.s at her Taipei office.
“Faced with continuous authoritarian expansionism, democrats must actively unite,” she added. “Canada is crucial to democracy. We will work with Canada and other like-minded nations to defend freedom and democracy.”
Tsai smiled and joked with the 10 Canadian parliamentarians despite China’s objections.
After ending the three-day drills on Monday, Beijing has continued military actions surrounding Taiwan.
On Wednesday, the ministry reported 35 Chinese military planes and eight naval warships outside Taiwan in 24 hours.
According to a ministry chart, 14 planes breached the Taiwan Strait median line, which usually separates the two sides.
Five Su-30 fighters crossed the median line at its northern end, while the others crossed in the center and south.
After then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, Chinese fighters have repeatedly breached the median line.
China denies the line exists.
Taiwan’s administration vehemently rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only the Taiwanese can decide their destiny.
