By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News
Relations between China and Taiwan have gotten worse in recent years – but Beijing’s latest military maneuvers appear to represent an escalation.
Friday marked the second day of Chinese drills around the island in what the People’s Liberation Army said is a test of its ability to “seize power” over Taiwan. The exercises began just three days after the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who is loathed by Beijing for being a champion of democracy.
According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, 49 Chinese aircraft, 19 naval ships and seven coast guard vessels were tracked close to Taiwanese territorial waters on Thursday. Newsweek reported that the ships were largely frigates and corvettes, and there has been no sign of heavier vessels such as aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships.
Some experts have said that if Beijing moves against Taiwan, it might begin with a blockade or a quarantine around the island. On Friday, China released a video showing an animation of Taiwan being enclosed within a circular target area while simulated missiles hit key targets.
Chinese military exercises near Taiwan have become relatively commonplace. In August, 2022, the PLA staged what was called the largest of such drills to protest the visit to Taiwan of Nancy Pelosi, who was then the speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Last week, Taiwan reported a massive aerial incursion by Chinese warplanes over the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Twenty six aircraft were detected crossing the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone.
Taiwan’s military is dwarfed by China’s – Beijing has 2,035,000 troops and spends $230 billion a year on defense, while Taiwan has 169,000 active personnel and a $19 billion military budget.
Still, Taiwan has been boosting its defense capabilities. It now boasts large inventories of anti-air, anti-tank and anti-ship weapons, including mobile coastal defense cruise missiles and drones.
The new Taiwanese president, Lai, has made it clear he’s not backing down. In his inaugural address on Monday, Lai called on Beijing to end its intimidation of Taiwan.
