On 4 March 2023, McCarthy announced he had planned a meeting with president Tsai, which was scheduled for early April.[5] In response, the PLA made multiple threats toward the Taiwanese government.[4] Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 4 April and met with lawmakers, including McCarthy.[6] In response, four days later the PLA dispatched dozens of aircraft and several warships toward the country's surrounding waters.[1][7]
On 2 August 2022, then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan and met with president Tsai Ing-wen.[8] In response, the People's Liberation Army pursued a series of military exercises encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills, air sorties, naval deployments, and ballistic missile launches. On 7 August, the Taiwanese government announced that it would be conducting live-fire artillery exercises in Pingtung County.[9] During drills held in Lienchiang County, flares fired by Taiwan's army started a fire.[10] On 10 August, the Eastern Theatre Command announced an end to the military exercises after it had "successfully completed various tasks and effectively tested the integrated combat capabilities of the troops".[11]
On 4 March 2023, US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy announced that he had planned a meeting with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen in the U.S.[5] After his announcement, the PLA threatened to take serious action against Tsai if she met with McCarthy.[12]
Despite the threats, Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 5 April and met with McCarthy and other prominent U.S. lawmakers.[13] The meeting took place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Hours after Tsai's meeting, a congressional delegation consisting of Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Taipei in their third overseas visit.[14] During their stop, McCaul stated: "we stand here today not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans in strong support of Taiwan".[15] He also compared CCP General SecretaryXi Jinping with Adolf Hitler, a remark that sparked controversy.[16] In response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sanctioned McCaul.[17]
On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of three days of "combat readiness patrols" (战备警巡) encircling Taiwan, naming the exercises "United Sharp Sword" or "Allied Sword" (联合利剑).[1][18][19][20] That same day, Chinese state media released a video which mentioned several of the assets that would be used in the exercises, including PLA army rockets, the Navy's destroyer escort, a missile boat, the Air Force's J-series, fighter bombers, electronic warfare aircraft, and aerial tankers.[21]
Xian H-6 bombers, one pictured here in 2022, were spotted flying over Taiwan during the exercises
Following the announcement, the military dispatched several warships and dozens of aircraft—including Sukhoi Su-30s and Xian H-6 bombers—toward Taiwan.[22] According to Taiwan's defense ministry, approximately 71 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.[23] The PLA later announced a live-fire exercise on waters near Pingtan Island.[24] Taiwan released a map of the flight paths of four Chinese J-15 fighter jets to the east of the island, which analysts stated were likely from the Shandong aircraft carrier which was participating in the military exercises.[25]
On 9 April 2023, Chinese fighter jets and war ships simulated strikes on Taiwan and simulated an encirclement of the island, prompting Taiwan to deploy its own warships, leading to a standoff between the two navies.[26]
In response, on 10 April the U.S. Navy sent one warship to the South China Sea.[27] That same day, China announced the end of the initial drills, but stated they would continue combat training around Taiwan.[28]
Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an audio post to Telegram that China had the "right to respond" against the "provocative actions" against it.[25]
The European Union (EU) expressed concern about the "intensification" of military activity around Taiwan, stating that the status quo should not be changed unilaterally, or by force, and urged restraint.[29]
