China conducted extensive military exercises near Taiwan and its surrounding islands, utilizing a record 125 aircraft, including the Liaoning aircraft carrier and various ships. The drills, aimed at sealing off key ports, highlighted the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese Defence Ministry stated that the maneuvers were a response to Taiwan’s president rejecting Beijing’s demand for Taiwan to acknowledge itself as part of China under Communist Party rule.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported 90 aircraft, comprising warplanes, helicopters, and drones, entering Taiwan’s air defence identification zone during the single-day exercise. The military activity occurred following Taiwan’s National Day celebrations, where President Lai Ching-te emphasized Taiwan’s sovereignty and resistance to Chinese coercion.
In response, Taiwan’s security council reiterated its commitment to defending against Chinese threats, emphasizing the importance of peaceful conflict resolution as outlined in the United Nations Charter. Taiwan’s Presidential Office urged China to halt military provocations that undermine regional stability and respect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.
China’s People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson announced the mobilization of navy, army, air force, and missile corps for integrated drills, signaling a strong stance against any support for Taiwanese independence. The Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed its opposition to Taiwan’s independence and warned against provocation, emphasizing China’s unwavering stance on the Taiwan issue.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry deployed surveillance warships and missile units to monitor Chinese military movements, maintaining readiness amid the heightened tensions. Despite the military activities, Taipei residents displayed resilience, expressing familiarity with China’s historical threats and their continued perseverance.
The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, criticized China’s response to Taiwan’s sovereignty claims, urging restraint to prevent further escalation in the region. China’s punitive measures against Taiwanese individuals advocating for independence further exemplified the strained relations between the two sides.
China’s military exercises near Taiwan and its blockade simulations are part of a pattern of escalating tensions, with Beijing emphasizing Taiwan’s integral connection to China and the inevitability of reunification. Taiwan’s complex history, from Japanese colonial rule to its split from mainland China in 1949, underscores the longstanding geopolitical complexities in the region.
