China’s military has been carrying out simulated precision strikes against key targets in and around Taiwan for two days, in what Beijing has called a “stern warning” to the self-governing island. The drills are a response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the US last week.
On Sunday, Taiwan reported that 70 Chinese aircraft flew around the island, while 11 Chinese ships were spotted. On Saturday, 45 warplanes had crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the south-western part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. The operation, dubbed “Joint Sword” by Beijing, is due to end on Monday.
Taiwanese officials have expressed their anger at the exercises, accusing China of using President Tsai’s US visit as an “excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region”. On day one of the drills, one of China’s ships fired a round as it sailed near Pingtan island, China’s closest point to Taiwan.
Taiwanese Coast Guard released video footage showing one of its ships shadowing a Chinese warship, with a sailor telling the Chinese ship through a radio: “You are seriously harming regional peace, stability and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures.” Other footage showed a Taiwanese warship accompanying the Coast Guard ship in what the Coast Guard officer calls a “standoff” with the Chinese vessel.
The US has urged China to show restraint and called for “no change to the status quo”. A state department spokesperson said the US was “monitoring Beijing’s actions closely” and had “sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security commitments”. The US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979, but is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
US President Joe Biden has said on several occasions that the US would intervene if China attacked the island. At Wednesday’s meeting in California, Ms Tsai thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for America’s “unwavering support”, saying it helped “reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone”.
Chinese state media said the military drills would “simultaneously organise patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture”. It added that “long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuellers” had all been deployed by China’s military.
Taiwan’s status has been ambiguous since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War turned in favour of the Chinese Communist Party and the country’s old ruling government retreated to the island. Taiwan has since considered itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders. China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing’s control – by force if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said “reunification” with Taiwan “must be fulfilled”.
In response to China’s military drills, US officials have urged Beijing to show restraint and not change the status quo. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and President Biden has said on multiple occasions that the US would intervene if China attacked the island. Taiwanese officials have expressed their anger at the exercises, accusing China of using President Tsai’s US visit as an excuse to undermine regional peace and security.
Residents of Taiwan’s capital Taipei seem unfazed by China’s latest manoeuvres. Jim Tsai said: “Many Taiwanese have gotten used to it by now, the feeling is like, here we go again!” Michael Chuang added: “They [China] seems to like doing it, circling Taiwan like it’s theirs. I am used to it now. If they invade we can’t escape anyway. We’ll see what the future holds and go from there.”
China’s military drills around Taiwan are a stark reminder of the ambiguous status of the island since 1949 when the Chinese Civil War ended in favour of the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan has since declared itself a sovereign state with its own constitution and leaders, while China views it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing’s control – by force if necessary. The US has urged China to show restraint and maintain the status quo, while providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself should China attack.