As larger and more intense Chinese military exercises around Taiwan become the new norm, there are growing concerns that a miscalculation could result in a full-blown cross-strait crisis with not only potential military consequences but also far-reaching economic ones.
The increased risks were once again brought to the fore when China staged fresh military drills around the self-ruled island Monday, slamming a new unannounced two-day visit by U.S. lawmakers to Taipei following a similar trip by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month that triggered a furious response from Beijing.
The five-member congressional delegation — led by Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts — met with President Tsai Ing-wen, sparking strong condemnation from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its inherent territory and views such visits as violations of its “One China” principle.
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