China Stages Military Drills Around Taiwan in Response to US Visit

Members of an American Congressional delegation—(from left) Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)—pose for a photo with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (center right) and other Taiwanese officials during a meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan, on April 15, 2022. U.S. lawmakers visiting Taiwan have made a pointed and public declaration of their support for the self-governing island democracy while also issuing a warning to China. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP

News Analysis

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen on April 15, a move that Beijing called “deliberately provocative.” Furthermore, the Chinese regime carried out military drills and deployed frigates, bombers, and fighter planes in the air and sea space around the island nation.