After China completed a three-day simulation “common precision strikes” on Taiwanhas warned Taipei about it Xi Jinping is “Ready to start a war”.

What happened: Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wuin conversation with CNN, condemned Beijing’s actions in the Taiwan Strait.

“Look at the military exercises and also their rhetoric, they seem to be trying to prepare to start a war against Taiwan,” Wu said.

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“Chinese leaders will think twice before deciding to use force against Taiwan. And whether it’s 2025 or 2027 or even beyond, Taiwan just has to prepare,” he said.

After the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen returned from a brief visit to the United States, where she met the Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy Despite Beijing’s warnings China began three-day military drills around Taiwan.

Why it matters: These comments from Wu came at a time when the Chinese authorities have been ramping up military and political pressure to try to get them Taipei accepts Beijing’s sovereigntyincluding staging war games near the island and fighter jets in Taiwan’s air defense zone.

Taiwan and its Western allies have repeatedly warned that Xi is learning from this Vladimir Putin’s War in Ukraine and may soon attack the island nation.

Last month, Taiwan’s defense minister said Taipei was due to one this year “sudden invasion” of the Chinese army to areas near its territory amid rising cross-strait tensions.

continue reading: Kevin McCarthy slams Xi Jinping after meeting with Taiwan President, saying China can’t tell me ‘who to talk to’