China to establish no-fly zone near Taiwan

China will establish a no-fly zone in northern Taiwan on Sunday due to, as Taiwan Transport Ministry said, <x0 spatial energy”.

The closure of the skies comes after Beijing has conducted three-day massive exercises last week around Taiwan. During these exercises, China has simulated shocks and key targets and has been trained to block this self-government island.

Creation for a short time of no-fly zone seems to be linked to military exercises. Taiwan's Transport Ministry said China would impose restrictions on “in the convergence areas of many international roads” calling at <x2 space activities”.

The restrictions, according to Taipei, will be in effect for 12 hours on Sunday.

Taiwan's Transport Ministry said China had initially intended to keep this no-fly zone under force for three days, but after Taipei's objections, this decision was reviewed.

Taiwan said it has informed China that “this decision is unreasonable and will bring great and unnecessary risks during flight to the region and could harm international aviation rights and interests”.

“North [where the no-fly zone] will be located there are many international flights roads, including to Japan, South Korea and the United States”.

Japan also said it was announced of this Chinese decision.

However, authorities in China have declined to comment on the matter.

Tensions between Taiwan and China have grown recently. Military exercises near Taiwan Beijing held in response to Taiwan's visit to the US last week.

Taiwan's status has been unresolved since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War went in favour of the Chinese Communist Party and the preliminary government of the state fled to the island. Since then, Taiwan has considered itself a sovereign state and has its Constitution and leaders. China sees it as its breakaway province, which one day will put it under Beijing control, even through force if necessary.

China's president, Xi Jinping, has said that “reunification” with Taiwan “should become”.