The Growing Concern: China’s Plans for Taiwan Invasion
China’s Military Exercises Near Taiwan Intensify Amid Growing Tensions
In recent years, China’s military exercises off the coast of Taiwan have increased as its claims to the self-governing island become more pronounced. The China Maritime Security Administration recently conducted a shooting exercise on Niyushan Island, located approximately 105 kilometers from Taiwan. The exercise, which began at 09:00 local time on 22 October, led to the closure of Niyushan Island and its surrounding areas to ship traffic for 4 hours.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated that the exercise was part of an annual program and that they were closely monitoring the situation. Last week, China held another exercise near Taiwan, involving a record number of military elements. With 153 warplanes, 14 warships, and 12 coast guard boats participating in the exercise focused on “sealing key ports and areas,” tensions in the region continue to escalate.
The Taiwan Strait, which separates China and Taiwan, spans 180 kilometers and is a source of great sensitivity for both parties. The Beijing administration, which rejects Taiwan’s independence, has conducted numerous military exercises to assert its control over the island. China passed a bill in 2005 authorizing the use of military force against Taiwan if it declares independence.
In early 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that Taiwan’s independence would be disastrous and stated that China reserves the right to take all necessary steps to prevent it. Since then, China has continued to ramp up its threats and military exercises near Taiwan, while also pressuring countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The United States remains a key ally of Taiwan, despite not having diplomatic relations with the island. The US has sent warships to the Taiwan Strait in defiance of China’s objections and has sold billions of dollars worth of weapons to Taiwan in the past decade. As tensions between China and Taiwan persist, the international community watches closely to see how the situation will unfold.
