China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began training manoeuvres using combat equipment near Taiwan on Tuesday. The drills are taking place in the coastal area of Fujian Province, in the waters of the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s defence ministry has been paying close attention to these naval manoeuvres, viewing them as part of regular Chinese military exercises. However, the ministry admitted that these Chinese actions may be aimed at increasing pressure through the development of tactics in the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing announced on Monday that the area around Niushan, an island 105 kilometres (66 miles) off Taiwan, would be closed for exercises for four hours from 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai said on Tuesday that China should not conduct such exercises given their threat to regional stability.
Taiwan’s premier Cho Jung-tai said on Tuesday the exercise disturbs peace and stability in the region and called it a “meaningless demonstration.” He emphasised that Taiwan’s armed forces are ready to defend state sovereignty and the safety of citizens. He also added:
Regardless of the scale of the exercise, it should not be conducted frequently and close to Taiwan. It will only cause unnecessary tensions.
While Taipei has described the drills as routine, analysts believe China is likely sending a message given their proximity to Taiwan.
Tension is heating up
The drills are also part of a broader campaign in which Chinese ships and aircraft regularly cross Taiwan’s territory and airspace, a grey zone warfare tactic designed to normalise incursions and weaken Taiwan over an extended period of time.
As Chinese exercises have intensified, so have the manoeuvres of Taiwan’s allies, mainly the US.
Last Monday, Beijing sent a record 153 warplanes as well as warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan in an exercise designed to simulate an attack from land, sea and air.
This followed Taiwanese President William Lai’s National Day speech on October 10, in which he pledged to “resist annexation or encroachment on Taiwan’s sovereignty.”
