China announces end of military drills around Taiwan: Regular patrols will continue

China has announced an end to unprecedented military exercises around Taiwan that began after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taipei.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army announced that it had successfully completed assignments around the island, but said regular patrols would continue.

Col. Shi Yi, the spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said it would continue “military training and preparation” and “regulate patrols in the Taiwan Strait to resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“We will work with the greatest sincerity and do our best to achieve peaceful reunification. But we will not abandon the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures,” the White Paper issued by Beijing said. Also, the white paper also mentioned that this contingency is necessary to prevent external interference and separatist activities.