Chinese military launches ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan in retaliation for American lawmaker Pelosi's visit

Taipei, Beijing, August 4

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Thursday the Chinese military launched a total of 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan's northern, southern and eastern coasts in several volleys.

Chinese military launched missiles from near Taiwan's Matsu islands.

The China missiles launches came in several waves, starting from 13:56 to 16:00 local time, Taiwan defence ministry said.

Earlier, Taiwan cancelled airline flights as the Chinese navy fired artillery near the island in retaliation for a top American lawmaker's visit, but the impact on shipments of processor chips and other goods needed by global industries was unclear.

China ordered ships and planes to avoid the military drills that encircled the self-ruled island, which the mainland's ruling Communist Party claims as part of its territory.

The Hong Kong newspaper The South China Morning Post called the drills an “effective Taiwan blockade”.

Beijing announced “live-fire exercises” after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived on Tuesday for a one-day visit, defying warnings from Beijing. It also banned imports of hundreds of Taiwanese food items including fish, fruit and cookies.

The two sides, which split in 1949 after a civil war, have no official ties but one of the world's busiest technology and manufacturing relationships. Reuters and AP

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