Taiwan said on Tuesday that mainland China deployed a large number of warships and planes around the island following Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te’s visits to the US.
According to The South China Morning Post, Taiwan has monitored the most significant Chinese military activity in the area since China conducted a blockade drill around the island in October, which was a response to a speech from Lai.
Taiwanese officials also said China had deployed a total of 90 naval and coast guard vessels stretching from the South China Sea to southern Japanese islands. The deployment is seen as an effort by China to show that it could not only blockade Taiwan but also impede the US and its allies in the region from intervening in any potential conflict.
China typically announces when it conducts major military drills, but it has so far been silent on the current activity.
When asked during a press briefing on Tuesday if China was conducting military exercises around Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities for the specific question. What I can tell you is that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, and China will firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Taiwan was anticipating major Chinese drills after Lai visited Hawaii and Guam during a tour of the Pacific region. China has a history of launching major exercises in response to contacts between US and Taiwanese officials, such as its first blockade drill that took place in August 2022 in response to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan.
In recent months, China has stepped up its warnings to the US as the Biden administration has approved several new arms deals for Taiwan and a package of US-funded military aid. Chinese officials have repeatedly stated that the island is the “first red line” in US-China relations that must not be crossed, but Washington has ignored Beijing’s concerns.
The US is also openly planning for a future war with China by expanding its military footprint in the Asia Pacific and working to build anti-China alliances in the region.
