China announced on Tuesday that it would conduct live-fire military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the latest move in recent military activity that has reignited tensions in the region.
Tuesday’s drills came a week after the Chinese military launched a record-breaking exercise aimed at demonstrating a possible blockade of Taiwan. On Sunday, U.S. and Canadian warships were also tracked through the strait, which a Chinese military spokesperson called an attempt to “incite hype” and “undermine peace and stability.”
The live-fire training will take place for four hours around Niushan Island, the closest island to mainland China and Taiwan, about 160 miles from Taipei. Training was also scheduled at another location further north. The announcement was made by the local maritime safety bureau of Fuzhou, the Chinese city that has jurisdiction over Niushan.
Taiwan appears to be downplaying the importance of the exercise. Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Zheng-tai told reporters in Taipei on Tuesday that the exercise was a meaningless threat.
“Regardless of the size of the exercise, meaningless shows like this should not be held frequently or near Taiwan.” “This will only cause sudden and unnecessary tension.”
He added that Taiwan’s military is prepared for “no surprises.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense made a similar point, issuing a statement stating that the training was “part of the annual regular exercise” by the Chinese military. Still, he acknowledged that China may be using the exercises for a “deterrent effect.”
China did not give a reason for Tuesday’s live-fire drill. But Beijing routinely conducts small-scale exercises to signal dissatisfaction with Taiwan-related developments, perhaps in response to Western warships, says Taiwan’s National Defense Security Institute, a think-tank-backed institute. said Xu Xiaofan, a researcher at. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense.
“China often uses these kinds of small-scale exercises as a very flexible means of external propaganda,” he said.
Last week, the Chinese government expressed even larger dissatisfaction in response to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-de’s National Day speech. sent a record number of Chinese fighter jets across the unofficial border between China and Taiwan. China Coast Guard ships also joined naval vessels in surrounding the island, and a Chinese aircraft carrier was also deployed to Taiwan’s eastern flank. Taiwanese officials told reporters last week on condition of anonymity that China fired two missiles during these exercises.
The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate how Taiwan could be separated if China invaded the island. That would make it more difficult for the United States and its allies to support Taiwan, as President Biden has promised.
The frequency of exercises suggests that China is stepping up its intimidation efforts. Since Lai took office in May, the Chinese military has held two such large-scale exercises, the same number they have conducted in the past eight years.
The Chinese government has long hated Mr. Lai, accusing him of advocating for Taiwan’s independence, but Mr. Lai’s supporters say he does not seek full independence but instead wants autonomy. I am doing it.
The training is part of a pressure campaign that has expanded in recent years. Chinese fighter jets already regularly fly over Taiwan to test the island’s defenses. The frequency of such invasions also increases the risk of conflict, accidental or otherwise, that could involve the United States.
About a week after the Beijing exercise ended, U.S. and Canadian warships sailed through the strait. The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, which oversees the U.S. ship, said in a statement that the trip was a routine one through waters beyond the territorial waters of any nation and that “the United States and Canada are committed to protecting freedom of navigation for all nations.” He showed his determination.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that the Taiwan Strait is a Chinese waterway, not an international waterway. Chinese military spokesman Li Xi said on Monday that the Chinese navy and air force “monitored and provided security” throughout the ship’s journey.
Siyi Zhao contributed research from Beijing.
