Iran Press/ Asia: China has ramped up its military drills in Taiwan's waters and announced sanctions against US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as tensions build between Beijing and Washington.
Beijing branded the visit as a "gross interference" in its internal affairs, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the military response to the trip "flagrantly provocative".
Pelosi's visit prompted China to carry out military drills across seven zones around the island, with more than 100 warplanes and 10 warships taking part in the past two days.
China also said it was canceling or suspending dialogue with the US on a range of issues, from climate change to military relations and anti-drug efforts, in retaliation for Pelosi's trip.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry on Friday said a total of 68 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships were conducting missions in the Taiwan Strait at that time. Some, they said, had crossed the median line — an unofficial buffer separating the two sides. 219
Read More:
Pelosi's visit to Taiwan a "malicious provocation": Medvedev
