China conducted military exercises near Taiwan for the second day in a row. The exercises took place between the waters off the southeast coast of the Philippines and Taiwan.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense, about 70 Chinese aircraft were spotted around the island in the past 24 hours. Nine warships were also seen. Military exercises are also expected to take place tomorrow.

China is using aircraft, ships and missile systems in the exercise.

According to Chinese state media, the aim of the exercises is to simulate particularly precise attacks. In a broader context, Beijing wants to deter “separatists fighting for independence”.

The exercises coincide with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s return from the United States. Tsai made an official visit to Belize and Guatemala last week, stopping in the United States en route.

In California, Tsai met with Kevin McCarthy, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, who is very sensitive to China. China, which does not recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty, deemed the meeting a provocation and announced measures. The U.S., instead, insisted it was a “stop” and that the meeting was consistent with previous U.S.-Taiwan diplomatic ties.

Washington said today that the situation around the island is being closely monitored by the American Institute in Taiwan (actually the US Embassy). In a public statement, the company called on Beijing not to use Lean’s arrival as an excuse to increase its presence.

Washington maintains diplomatic ties with China, but at the same time supports Taiwan militarily to balance Chinese influence in the region.

Previous high-level contact between Taiwan and the United States has led to diplomatic tensions. In August 2022, China conducted an unprecedented large-scale military exercise following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.