In continuation to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, the recent surge in Chinese military has conducted biggest military blockage around Taiwan has captured global attention. Taiwan’s military mobilized its forces and said it was confident it could protect the island, after China started two days of “punishment” drills around Taiwan on Thursday in what it said was a response to “separatist acts”. The exercises, in the Taiwan Strait and around groups of Taiwan-controlled islands that sit next to the Chinese coast, come just three days after Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan’s new president, a man Beijing detests as a “separatist”.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense recently disclosed a significant increase in Chinese military presence in the vicinity of Taiwan. As of 6 am (UTC+8), 15 aircraft and 6 vessels from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were detected in the area surrounding Taiwan. This marked an escalation in tensions between the two nations, raising concerns about regional stability.
The White House expressed concern over China’s military activity near Taiwan, labeling it as “provocative” and “destabilizing.” Such actions could lead to miscalculations and threaten regional stability. In response, China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory, stated it conducted “strike drills” in the sea and airspace around Taiwan due to alleged provocation from both Taiwan and the United States.
However, the conflict between China and Taiwan is not a recent development and has a long history. The roots of this discord can be traced back to October 1949 when Mao Zedong’s communists took power in Beijing after defeating Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists in a civil war. The KMT fled to the island of Taiwan and formed their own government in Taipei in December, cutting off contacts with mainland China.
The recent surge in Chinese military activities is seen as a response to the growing ties between Taiwan and the United States. The highest-profile elected US official to visit the island in 25 years stated that her visit demonstrates her country’s “unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy”. This infuriated China, which vowed “punishment” and launched its largest-ever military exercises in the area, encircling Taiwan.
In conclusion, the escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, marked by China’s largest blockade drills around Taiwan, have put the international community on high alert. The situation calls for diplomatic efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region. As the world watches closely, the unfolding events will undoubtedly shape the future of Taiwan-China relations and potentially redefine the geopolitical dynamics in the region.