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| USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Attack Fleet In Taiwan Territory |
White House spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon had ordered the carrier strike fleet USS Ronald Reagan to "remain stationed in public areas to monitor the situation." "We will not be deterred from operating in the seas and skies of the Western Pacific in accordance with international law, as we have done for decades, supporting Taiwan and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific," Kirby said.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Taiwan accuses China of "following North Korea's example" by firing ballistic missiles near other countries' territory. Earlier, Japan said a number of Chinese missiles had fallen in its exclusive economic zone.
Beijing announced on Thursday afternoon (4/8/2022) that it had fired several long-range weapons into the eastern part of the Taiwan Strait. Chinese media reported the Dongfeng DF-17 hypersonic missile may have been used in the exercise.
Taiwan said the projectiles, a total of 11, landed in the northeast and southeast of the island. Japan claims five of these missiles landed in its exclusive economic zone, which overlaps China's maritime zone close to Taiwan.
"China's missile launch threatens Taiwan's national security, increases regional tensions, and affects normal international conditions, transportation and trade," Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Taipei.
"Taiwan strongly condemns the Chinese government for following North Korea's example in its arbitrary missile tests in waters close to other countries," the statement said, ending with a call to the "international community" to condemn China's actions.