The Taiwan Strait is once again in turmoil, and tensions between China and Taiwan are reaching critical levels. Earlier this week, Beijing stepped up its military force by deploying fighter jets and warships across the island in what is described as a direct warning to Taiwanese “separatists”. The renewed tensions come as relations between Beijing and Taipei continue to deteriorate since Lai Ching-te comes to power in 2024, raising fears of an escalation with unpredictable consequences.

An alarming Chinese show of force

China began a series of unusually large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan this week, deploying fighter jets, bombers and warships to encircle the island. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said the operation was a “serious warning” to Taiwan’s pro-independence forces. He claims that “Taiwanese independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are two completely incompatible things.” This show of force has been accompanied by increasingly muscular rhetoric from Beijing aimed at discouraging any attempt at official independence for the island.

Dubbed “Joint Sword-2024B”, the military exercises focus on combat readiness patrols, simulated port blockades, as well as attacks on sea and land targets. China, which still considers Taiwan a rebel province that must be reintegrated at all costs, has increased its military presence around the island in recent years. With these maneuvers, Beijing wants to show its ability to encircle Taiwan and isolate the island in the event of a conflict, a strategy that is a continuation of its policy of increased military pressure from 2021.

Taiwanese and international responses to the threat

In response to this military offensive, Taiwan immediately responded by putting its military on high alert. President Lai Ching-te called an emergency security meeting and condemned China’s “irrational and provocative behavior,” which he called a deliberate violation of international law. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense assured that it has deployed adequate forces to respond to any eventuality and reaffirmed its determination to protect “the freedom, democracy and sovereignty of Taiwan.” In this context, Taiwan also received more than half a billion dollars in new US military aid to strengthen its defense system.

For its part, the United States has strongly condemned the maneuvers, describing them as “unauthorized operations” that are likely to escalate tensions. Washington, which has officially recognized Beijing since 1979 but is also Taiwan’s main arms supplier, sees this rise in tensions as a threat to regional stability. Going forward, the prospects for open conflict remain uncertain, but this new episode illustrates how explosive the situation in the Taiwan Strait has become, as every strategic move risks precipitating a confrontation with global consequences.

This new show of force from China around Taiwan further complicates relations between the two territories. As Taiwan strengthens its alliances and defense capabilities, Beijing is making clear its willingness to enforce its views by force if necessary. The role of the United States as a key supporter of Taiwan will be crucial in the coming months as the risk of military confrontation continues to grow in the region.

Luc Jose A.

A graduate of Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of the blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I made a commitment to raise awareness and inform the general public about this ever-evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Every day I try to provide an objective analysis of current events, decipher market trends, convey the latest technological innovations and put into perspective the economic and social problems of this ongoing revolution.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

The comments and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered investment advice. Before making any investment decision, do your own research.