China’s recent military maneuvers in waters surrounding Taiwan are another example of growing tensions between the two neighbors.  The exercises, launched Monday, responded to a challenge issued last Sunday by Taiwan President William Lai, who promised to “resist annexation” and defend Taiwan’s sovereignty.  This showcased China’s might, with 34 naval vessels and 125 aircraft encircling the island. It had land, sea, and air elements.  Taiwan is considered an official breakaway province by China, and it has always promised to reunify it, if necessary, by force.

The Chinese State Council subsequently labelled the drills as a “punishment” to Lai’s remarks.  According to the PLA, the exercises were meant to test its integrated capabilities in conducting joint operations.  Taiwan publicly condemned the exercises stating that its defense ministry issued warnings to exercise caution and avoid the eventuality of direct confrontation with China.  Taiwanese airports and ports operated normally as the military conducted their exercises.

The assertive military stance of China has been consistent since 2022, as their aircraft continuously penetrated Taiwanese airspace and their consistent wave of massive drills close to the island.  Such was Joint Sword 2024-B-a series of exercises intended to simulate attacks and blockades on Taiwan.  If not new, the closeness of Chinese forces to Taiwan and the threats from Beijing seems noisier than ever before.

The U.S. condemned the drill, labeling it an overreaction to Lai’s regular remarks.  Washington has long championed Taiwan’s independence, and at the rise of such tensions in 1996, the U.S. Navy intervened to check a Chinese plan to assault Taiwan.  Since then, tensions have gone up and down again, but elections of pro-independence leaders such as Lai and Tsai Ing-wen have kept relations between China and Taiwan taut.

‘The situation is still unstable, as China does not want to see any step toward the independence of Taiwan, and this situation creates instability in the region. ‘With the involvement of the United States and aggressive military posturing from China, it is far from easy to dismiss the possibility that miscalculations might lead to a greater war.  However, both parties have been cautious and unwilling to escalate the status quo to a more dangerous level.

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