Military blockade on Taipei to stay

The People's Liberation Army announced fresh military drills yesterday in the seas and airspace around Taiwan - a day after the scheduled end of its largest ever exercises to protest against last week's visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Eastern Theatre Command said it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations - confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan's defenses.

Pelosi's visit to Taiwan last week infuriated China, which responded with test launches of ballistic missiles over Taipei for the first time, as well as ditching some lines of dialogue with Washington.

The duration and precise location of the latest drills is not yet known, but Taiwan has already eased flight restrictions near the six earlier Chinese exercise areas surrounding the island.

China has ignored calls to calm the tensions, and there was no immediate indication of when it would end what amounts to a blockade.

In response, Taiwan's official Central News Agency reported that the army will conduct live-fire artillery drills in southern Pingtung county today and tomorrow.

The drills will include snipers, combat vehicles, armored vehicles as well as attack helicopters.

Shortly before the latest drills were announced, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met visiting St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, telling him she was moved by his determination to visit despite China's military pressure.

Beyond the firing of 11 short-range ballistic missiles during the four earlier days of exercises, Chinese warships, fighter jets and drones maneuvered extensively around the island.

China's designated no-fly zones, and crossings of the median line, have "compressed" Taiwan's training space and will affect the normal operation of international flights and air routes in the future.