China is preparing to intensify its extensive military exercises near the independent island of Taiwan, which began as Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, arrived in Taipei for a visit that infuriated Beijing.
According to the tabloid Global Times, the unprecedented six days of military drills, which included the test launching of conventional missiles and J-20 stealth fighter jets, started on Tuesday night after Pelosi arrived on the island.The People's Liberation Army (PLA) would also undertake enlarged live-fire exercises from August 4 to 7 in six different places around the island, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
On Wednesday, Taiwan claimed that the exercises were illegal, invaded its territory, and amounted to a blockade of its air and sea.
It promised to react accordingly.Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense posted on Twitter, "PRC [People's Republic of China] declaring air-naval live-fire drills near Taiwan is self-evidently plain that they seek a cross-strait resolution by force instead of peaceful methods." The Republic of China's Ministry of National Defense (ROCMND) "closely monitors activities around our territory and will meet our proper response when necessary."Pelosi is the first sitting speaker of the house to visit Taiwan in 25 years, and Beijing has warned that her journey to the island, which it claims as its own, will have "severe implications." It announced a number of trade restrictions on Wednesday morning, including a prohibition on the import and export of certain foods and sand.
According to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokeswoman for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, the military drills are a "stern deterrence" to the United States over Taiwan and a "severe warning" for pro-Taiwan independence activists.
J-20 stealth fighter jets were visible in a footage that China Central Television (CCTV) aired during the drills on Tuesday night.
The Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, and Joint Logistics Support Force participated in a multi-force exercise on Wednesday in the air and on the water to the north, southwest, and southeast of Taiwan, according to the Eastern Theater Command. They conducted a variety of drills, including simulated attacks on land and at sea.The drills, according to The Global Times, would be more extensive than those that were held in 1996 in preparation for President Lee Teng-reelection hui's after his visit to the US the year before.Unintentional escalation
According to Song Zhongping, a military analyst stationed in Hong Kong, it appeared the People's Liberation Army wanted to practice blockading the island in case it was need to do so in a future conflict.To put it simply, the purpose of these drills is to get ready for a military conflict with Taiwan, according to Zhongping.
The announcement of the drills with a locating map distributed by the official Xinhua news agency was unusual, and some analysts and scholars believe this demonstrates the desire to appeal to both domestic and international audiences.
The drills, which are depicted on maps made by China, go well beyond the missile launches that occurred in the Taiwan Strait in 1996 as part of Beijing's protests against the island's first direct presidential election, which led to the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
In order to effectively end the situation in 1996, the US Navy sent two aircraft carriers near to the straits; but, given China's military development since then, notably its greatly improved missile arsenal, many observers believe that this maneuver is more difficult today.Collin Koh, a security expert based in Singapore, claimed that China was caught between needing to respond forcefully and comprehensively while averting a full-blown confrontation as a result of Pelosi's visit.
According to Koh of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, "even if they desire to prevent that conclusion, there are still major chances for an unintentional escalation."Advanced US and Taiwanese spy aircraft, according to Koh, would use the drills as a chance to eavesdrop on Chinese military communications and equipment, potentially raising the stakes if Chinese aircraft retaliated.Beijing has intensified military activities near Taiwan in recent years and hasn't ruled out using force to seize control of the island. Beijing justifies these actions as a reaction to what it deems "collusion" between Taipei and Washington.
The US is Taiwan's most significant international ally and is required by law to equip the island with the tools to defend itself, despite retaining official diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Taiwan claims that only its citizens have the authority to decide the future of the island.
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