China has commenced a three-day military exercise dubbed "United Sharp Sword" around Taiwan after the island's president, Tsai Ing-wen, met with the US House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, in defiance of Beijing's warnings. The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command stated that the drills were intended to warn against Taiwan's collaboration with external forces and to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The exercises have been criticized by Taiwan, which views them as an encroachment on its sovereignty. China regards Taiwan as its own territory and has previously threatened to use force to bring it under its control. The Taiwan Strait has seen almost daily incursions by Chinese warplanes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
During the August military exercise, dozens of Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, and Chinese Navy warships conducted maneuvers in the waters around Taiwan. China claimed that it was simulating an air and sea "blockade" of the island, but provided little evidence to support its claim. Taiwanese officials had expected a less severe reaction to President Tsai's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as it took place on US soil.
Despite being unofficial, their meeting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library highlighted the growing ties between Taipei and Washington. While the US withdrew its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in 1979, it supports Taiwan's ability to defend itself by selling arms to Taipei. After the meeting, McCarthy stated that the US should continue to increase its support for Taiwan by selling arms and strengthening economic cooperation.