Retaliatory measures threaten ‘guardrails’ between two countries as Beijing continues military drills

• Taiwan crisis: latest updates

Relations between the world’s two largest economies have plummeted into further uncertainty as China halted ties with the US on a range of critical issues – from talks on the climate crisis to dialogue between their militaries – following the visit to Taiwan earlier this week by the US House speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

The declaration of the series of “countermeasures” came as Beijing for a second day staged massive military drills surrounding the island of Taiwan and also announced sanctions against Pelosi and her direct family members for what it called her “vicious and provocative actions”.

Beijing also targets relatives of US House speaker as major military activity continues around Taiwan

• Taiwan crisis – live

China’s government has announced sanctions against the US House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, for “vicious and provocative actions” in going to Taiwan, as large-scale military activity around the island continues.

The sanctions, which also target Pelosi’s direct relatives, were reported by state media on Friday afternoon.

Taipei accuses Beijing of imitating North Korea after firing missiles across part of island and disrupting flights and shipping

• China begins military drills: live updates

China raised tensions across Asia on Thursday after launching huge military exercises in the air and seas around Taiwan, including firing ballistic missiles close to the island some of which landed in Japanese waters. The brazen show of force disrupted one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and diverted hundreds of flights.

The exercises, which included rockets, attack helicopters and gunships, were arranged in reaction to a defiant visit to the island by the US House speaker, Nancy Pelosi. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and has threatened to take it by force.

• Military exercises near Taiwan ‘concerning’ – top US official
• China-Taiwan relations: what’s behind the tensions?

The president of Paraguay has offered solidarity to Taiwan. The South American nation is one of just 14 nations formally recognising Taiwan as a country.

“Paraguay expresses its solidarity with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the context of the threats it has been subjected to,” Mario Abdo Benítez said on Twitter.