'Resolute Response': China Deploys Warships Near Taiwan After Tsai-McCarthy Meeting in US

New Delhi: In response to the high-profile meeting between the Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, China on Thursday deployed warships via waters around the island, vowing a "resolute response". Quoting Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, AFP reported that three additional warships were detected in waters separating the island from mainland China. For the unversed, Beijing had repeatedly warned both sides the meeting should not take place, and deployed an aircraft carrier through waters near Taiwan hours before the talks began Notably, Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen held talks with McCarthy in Los Angeles yesterday, expressing gratitude afterwards for the meeting that she said showed her island was not isolated on the international stage.
An anti-submarine helicopter had also crossed the island air defence identification zone, according to the ministry. Despite Taiwan having been ruled separately for more than 70 years, China views it as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. China carried out its largest-ever air and sea exercises around Taiwan following a visit in August last year by McCarthy's predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, to the island. China deployed warships, missiles and fighter jets into the waters and skies around Taiwan in August.
CHINA'S STRONG REBUKE
Hours after the Tsai-McCarthy meeting, China issued a strong rebuke. "In response to the seriously erroneous acts of collusion between the United States and Taiwan, China will take resolute and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," China's foreign ministry said.
However, there were no initial signs of extra military activity on Thursday morning on Pingtan island in southeastern China -- home to a People's Liberation Army base and known as the closest point on the mainland to Taiwan.