US commander urges response to Chinese gunfire around Taiwan

China’s decision to fire missiles around Taiwan needs to be answered for “irresponsible” said a US commander at a round table in Singapore.

The Chinese People’s Army important sea and air maneuvers around this island, whose sovereignty it claims, which included the launch of ballistic missiles in waters close to its territory.

“It is very important that Let’s respond to this kind of action,” said Vice Admiral of the United States Seventh Fleet, Karl Thomasto reporters in Singapore.

“If we allow this to happen and don’t respond, this will be the norm afterwards,” he said. “It is irresponsible to launch missiles on Taiwan in international waters, where maritime routes and free navigation operate,” he added.

The 7th Fleet is based in Japan and constitutes an essential element of the US naval presence in the Pacific.

The tension in the area has escalated with the visit to Taiwan of the president of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, which angered Beijing.

Although separated de facto since 1949, China regards the island as part of its territory and has vowed to one day unify it, by force if necessary.

Vice Admiral Thomas drew a parallel between the threat to Taiwan and Beijing’s behavior in the South China Seain which he claims almost complete sovereignty.

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“If you don’t challenge her (…) suddenly, may end up like the islands in the south china sea that have become military outposts” for Beijing, he said.

“Currently they are full-fledged military outposts, with missiles, large landing strips, hangars, radars, listening posts,” he said.