China reiterated its commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, declaring it would not tolerate separatist activities concerning Taiwan. This statement followed reports from Taiwan of increased Chinese military activity near the island.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 53 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels, and eight civilian agency ships operating near its territory within 24 hours. Beijing, however, has not confirmed the exercises or provided details about the military activity.
A senior Taiwanese security official speculated that the surge in operations might be aimed at sending a message to the incoming U.S. administration, emphasizing its stance on Taiwan. They noted it took China's military nearly 70 days to plan and execute the current maneuvers.
Beijing's Stand on Sovereignty
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized during a press briefing that Beijing remains vigilant against what it perceives as separatist forces collaborating with external powers. “We take necessary measures to resolutely defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhu said, without explicitly confirming any ongoing military drills.
China considers Taiwan, a democratically governed island, as part of its territory and has expressed discontent with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent diplomatic tour, which included stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. Analysts believe Beijing’s actions are a mix of political signaling and military posturing.
Unprecedented Naval Operations
Taiwan’s defense ministry highlighted that China’s naval deployment in regional waters is the largest in nearly three decades, posing a significant threat. A U.S. military official acknowledged heightened Chinese naval activities but described them as consistent with past large-scale exercises.
A regional security diplomat briefed on the situation described the operations' scale as unprecedented, noting that while the intensity mirrored earlier exercises, the geographical coverage was much broader.
Strategic Timing and Mixed Signals
Taiwanese officials believe Beijing’s decision not to publicly announce these drills might be an effort to avoid disrupting major events involving Taiwanese businessmen and politicians. These include an annual charm offensive program and a planned visit to Taipei by a deputy mayor from Shanghai.
“It’s a carrot-and-stick approach,” said a senior Taiwanese official, noting the balancing act in Beijing’s strategies. Despite escalating military activities, China appears to be maintaining avenues for dialogue and engagement with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Firm Response
Taiwan’s government, under President Lai, has consistently rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only Taiwan’s citizens have the right to decide their future. The island's military remains on high alert, monitoring developments closely.
China has conducted two significant war games around Taiwan this year, underscoring its stance that the Taiwan issue is central to its national interests and a “red line” for the United States.
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