A significant deployment of Chinese naval vessels and aircraft over the past 24 hours has prompted concerns from Taiwanese defense officials, who warn of a potential escalation towards conflict amid heightened regional tensions.
China’s military activity involves approximately a dozen ships and 47 aircraft in waters surrounding Taiwan, coinciding with planned drills following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent overseas visits to Hawaii and Guam.
This trip has angered China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory.
During his visit to Guam, President Lai engaged in phone conversations with US congressional leaders.
These events follow a recent US approval of a potential $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including advanced air defense missile systems and radar systems. This package includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment, valued at up to $1.16 billion, according to the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
China has repeatedly asserted its intention to annex Taiwan, resorting to force if necessary, and frequently sends military assets near the island.
Regarding the latest deployment, Taiwan’s Lt. Gen. Hsieh Jih-sheng described China’s naval actions as creating two containment lines—one around Taiwan and another beyond the first island chain.
“Their message is clear: The Taiwan Strait belongs to us,” he stated, referring to the waters between Taiwan and mainland China.
Taiwanese officials characterize the deployment as an unannounced training exercise.
However, General Hsieh cautioned that training can escalate to drills, and drills can escalate to war.
“It’s currently classified as routine training,” he explained. “But even within this framework, it allows for the mobilization of significant military forces and large-scale exercises.”
Taiwan’s military is on high alert, establishing an emergency response center on Monday and implementing flight restrictions in seven zones off China’s east coast until Wednesday.
The US has consistently demonstrated support for Taiwan through military agreements, operations, and diplomatic interactions with Taiwanese officials.
Recent years have witnessed a pattern of US officials, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meeting with Taiwanese counterparts, prompting strong reactions from Beijing.
Pelosi’s 2021 visit to the island triggered live-fire military drills by China around Taiwan. Similar drills followed then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
China, viewing Lai as a separatist, also conducted major military exercises around Taiwan after his May inauguration and October National Day address.
Meanwhile, President-elect Trump’s nominees for ambassador, national security advisor, and secretary of state are considered by many to be “China Hawks.”
For example, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., nominated for secretary of state, indicated at the Republican National Convention that a re-elected Trump would likely “continue to support Taiwan.”
Rubio, however, has consistently advocated for increased Taiwanese defense spending, a view shared by some security experts but not necessarily by the majority of Taiwanese citizens.
Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is nominated as ambassador to the United Nations, while is Trump’s choice for national security adviser.
’ Anders Hagstrom and Eryk Michael Smith, as well as The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.