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China conducted live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, marking the latest display of military force in its ongoing claim over Taiwan, an island it considers part of its territory. These exercises come amid rising tensions in the region, fueled by China’s discontent with Western support for Taiwan.

 

The drills, which took place near Niushan Island—just 100 miles from Taipei—follow a series of provocative military actions from China. Last week, China launched record-setting exercises to simulate a potential blockade of Taiwan. This was a clear message to the international community, particularly following the transit of American and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday. Chinese officials criticized the presence of these Western ships, accusing them of "stirring hype" and "undermining peace and stability."

 

Scheduled to last four hours, the live-fire exercises were closely monitored by Taiwan, though officials downplayed their significance. Cho Jung-tai, Taiwan’s premier, dismissed the drills as an empty threat. “No matter the scale of the exercises, there should not be such meaningless shows frequently or near to Taiwan,” he said. “This will only cause sudden and unnecessary tension.” He emphasized that Taiwan’s military was prepared and that there were no concerns about unexpected incidents. 

 

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense echoed this calm approach, calling the drills part of China’s routine military exercises. However, it also acknowledged that China might be using the exercises to project a "deterrent effect" in light of recent developments involving Western military presence in the region.

 

While China did not provide a specific reason for Tuesday’s drills, many experts believe they were a direct response to the recent passage of U.S. and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait. Shu Hsiao-huang, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, suggested that China uses these exercises to signal dissatisfaction with Taiwan-related developments. The ongoing military activities reflect an increase in China’s intimidation tactics. Since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May, China has held two large-scale exercises, equaling the total number held over the previous eight years.

 

China's growing military assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait is part of a broader strategy to pressure the island and its supporters, especially as tensions continue to rise between Beijing and the West. The frequency and intensity of these drills signal that China is determined to send a message about its stance on Taiwan, despite growing international criticism and regional unease.

 

Based on a report from the NYT 2024-10-23