BREAKING:
Footage uploaded by civilians in China shows large military movements of troops and equipment as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taiwan shortly.
The large military movements have occurred on major highways and railways throughout the Chinese province of Fujian.
1:01 AM PST: Commercial flights have been abruptly canceled from airports in several cities in Fujian province. These airports include Xiamen, Fuzhou and Quanzhou. Xiamen Airlines put out a statement saying that the flight cancelations were due to “regional traffic control” and did not elaborate further.
Canceled flights from airports in Fujian
1:07 AM PST: The mayor of Xiamen, Huang Wenhui, has called on citizens to donate blood without detailing why.
Mayor Huang Wenhui of Xiamen
1:11 AM PST: Photos coming in of military movement in Xiamen and areas around Fujian
Chinese military vehicles moving around Fujian province
Chinese military vehicles moving around Fujian province
1:14 AM PST: The Chinese aircraft carrier “Liaoning” is reportedly moving near Taiwan. An additional ship, the Shandong was reported to have left Sanya naval base on yesterday.
Stock photo of Liaoning aircraft carrier
Stock photo of the Shandong aircraft carrier
1:22 AM PST: Taiwanese media reporting that the USS Ronald Reagan is on course towards Taiwan. Reports estimate that the ship could arrive near Taiwan in the next 6 hours.
Stock photo of the USS Ronald Reagan
1:32 AM PST US military aircraft are now departing Japan and heading toward Taiwan. Tracker shows 3 KC-130’s.
1:37 AM PST: A truck carrying boxes of guided munitions to an unknown location in Fujian.
1:44 AM PST: Footage we’ve obtained shows Chinese military helicopters flying over Fujian province, which sits directly across from Taiwan.
2:01 AM PST: Chinese DF-16 ballistic missile launchers are now being moved via train into Xiamen, China
2:07 AM PST: Video showing a division of medium-range air defense systems (HQ-22) moving into the Fujian region
2:16 AM PST: Additional footage of military equipment moving through a train station in Xiamen. Citizens say that trains are delayed, with some waiting more than 2 hours.
2:23 AM PST: More pictures from Xiamen showing Chinese military equipment on a freeway leading into the city.
2:31 AM PST: Video coming in from Xiamen showing Chinese military equipment now blocking streets near the water
2:53 AM PST: Video coming in from Xiamen shows more DF-16 ballistic missile launchers moving from an area in Xiamen, China (this is the same area as previous post)
3:05 AM PST: Video coming in from Taiwan shows protestors outside the hotel where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is expected to stay.
3:23 AM PST: Reports coming in that panic buying is happening in Xiamen. We’re working to get footage right now.
3:31 AM PST: Footage we’ve obtained from the streets of Xiamen show Chinese military equipment moving along the streets. Citizens are reporting that major roads are now being closed off to the public.
3:31 AM PST: Footage we’ve obtained from the streets of Xiamen show Chinese military equipment moving along the streets. Citizens are reporting that major roads are now being closed off to the public.
3:48 AM PST: Communications between Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) and SPAR19 (the aircraft reportedly carrying Speaker Pelosi). Pelosi’s plane will fly along the coast of the Philippines where US Naval assets are positioned. This is being done to minimize risk as flying near China could be dangerous for Pelosi
SPAR19 Flight Path provided to TPE
Communication between TPE & SPAR19.
4:13AM PST: Chinese Foreign Minister Cai Wei has released a statement saying the United States is challenging China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. She adds that the United States has deliberately caused trouble in the Taiwan Strait, calling Pelosi’s expected visit “deplorable” and “treachery”
Chinese Foreign Minister Cai Wei
4:29AM PST: Additional video coming in showing Chinese military vehicle positioned on streets.
4:41 AM PST: China has announced bans on over 100 Taiwanese food products.
4:49 AM PST: Taiwan’s Taoyuan airport recieved a bomb threat via an email earlier today, this comes hours before Speaker Pelosi is set to arrive at the airport.
4:57 AM PST: Multiple Taiwanese government websites are down
5:09 AM PST: Taiwan’s presidential office has just confirmed that multiple government websites have been taken down by an overseas DDos attack. The official government website was taken down for 20 minutes. A taiwanese spokesperson says they will continue to monitor their networks and ensure stable operations of key infrastructure.
5:19 AM PST: SPAR19 (the aircraft carrying Pelosi) is expected to arrive in Taiwan at 10:19PM (taiwan time)
5:31 AM PST: Photo showing more Chinese air defense systems moving in Fujian. Pictured are vehicles transporting Chinese HQ-22 medium / long-range anti-aircraft missile systems
5:46 AM PST: US Air Force moving a C-130 towards Taiwan from Okinawa, Japan
6:01 AM PST: Reports coming in of US fighter jets taking off from Okinawa, Japan. Word circulating they might escort Speaker Pelosi into Taiwan. Unclear how close they will get to Taiwan. Monitoring.
6:01 AM PST: RONIN65 (A US Air Force E-3 Sentry) is in the air. Accompanied by RONIN63. Both of these aircraft operate as mobile command centers. They also control communications for tactical and air defense forces.
6:23 AM PST: Confirmed, 8 F-15 fighter jets and 5 aerial tankers have taken off from Okinawa, Japan. Are reportedly heading towards Taiwan.
6:49AM PST: UPDATE, 22 AIRCRAFT Departed Okinawa Japan
7:01AM PST: CHINA IS CLOSING THE TAIWAN STRAIT FOR COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.
7:16AM PST: Reports coming in that China is moving aircraft towards Taiwan.
7:21AM PST: Taiwan has scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese aircraft heading towards the country.
7:33AM PST: Speaker Pelosi has landed in Taiwan
7:47AM PST: Speaker Pelosi has disembarked SPAR19.
8:01AM PST: Chinese state media reporting that “sources” say China is preparing to announce sanctions against the United States
8:06AM PST: Speaker Pelosi released the following statement after arriving in Taiwan: “Our Congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy. Our visit is part of our broader trip to the Indo-Pacific — including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan — focused on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance. Our discussions with Taiwan leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy. Our visit is one of several Congressional delegations to Taiwan – and it in no way contradicts longstanding United States policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, U.S.-China Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances. The United States continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”
8:13AM PST: Taiwans defense spokesperson Li-Fang Sun just confirmed that “no Chinese Su-35 has crossed the Taiwan Strait”, but acknowledged that other types of PLA aircrafts did. The Defense Minister says “the military is currently handling the situation.”
8:32AM PST: Russia has released a statement calling Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan “provocative.” The Russian government also says it supports the One-china policy and is against Taiwan’s independence.
8:37AM PST: In response to Pelosi’s visit, China will conduct live fire exercises around Taiwan. Those current declared exercise areas include portions of Taiwanese sovereign territorial waters.
8:41AM PST: China’s military has announced it will launch “targeted military operations” to counter Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The military added it will “resolutely defend territorial integrity and national sovereignty.”
12:37PM PST: China has summoned the US ambassador in China over Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
12:44PM PST: China says it will carry out ‘targeted military operations” in response to speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
1:17PM PST: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby says Speaker Pelosi has a right to visit Taiwan. He adds that the United States believes China will ramp up military activity around Taiwan in the coming days.
1:34PM PST: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby says the United States supports the one-china policy and will continue to support Speaker Pelosi’s trip
1:46PM PST:China’s Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng summoned US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns overnight to protest against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. It was communicated that the speakers trip is “extremely vicious and the consequence are very grave.”
3:41PM PST: Hua Chunying (Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs) says “China will definitely take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the U.S. Speaker’s visit. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the U.S. side and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.”
3:23PM PST: Video we’ve obtained shows Chinese military vehicles moving in Fujian after Speaker Pelosi arrived last night (Taiwan time)
7:13PM PST: While meeting with the president of Taiwan, Speaker Pelosi says “America has made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan. On this strong foundation, we’ve a thriving partnership grounded in self-government & self-determination focused on mutual security in the region & world committed to economic prosperity.”
9:42PM PST: Japan is expressing concern to China over scheduled military drills in the waters around Taiwan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno says “The maritime areas announced by the Chinese side as those to be used for military exercises… overlaps with Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Considering the live-fire training nature of this military activity, Japan has expressed concerns to the Chinese side.”
10:39PM PST: South Korea has called for peace and calm as tensions between the United States and China have skyrocketed following Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
The South Korean presidential office said “Our government’s stance is that we will maintain close communication with the nations concerned on all issues under the banner of the need for peace and stability in the region through dialogue and cooperation.”
