Taiwan is raising concerns over Chinese military drills, which it claims could accidentally start an uncontrollable war involving countries from all over the world.
The remarks come as large-scale Chinese military drills enter their third day, with the Chinese military warning that it is “ready to fight” if Taiwan declares independence from the mainland.
Tension Between Taiwan and China
The drills China has undertaken are identical to those held in August following a visit to Taiwan by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and come on the heels of a meeting between Taiwanese officials and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Multiple warships and planes have apparently breached the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which has been acknowledged by both sides for decades as a border that armed forces should not cross for fear of escalation to war. However, China has ignored the boundary in previous military drills, claiming it is “imaginary.”
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu cautioned that recent drills have demonstrated that China’s danger to the independently administered island has increased, stressing that it will be critical for the US to continue to show support for Taiwan as a deterrent to mainland aggression.
Chinese Aircraft Carriers Operating Near Taiwan
The Shandong CSG participated in the Eastern Theatre Command’s Joint Sword drills, which began on Saturday and concluded on Monday.
The drills began after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States that included a meeting with McCarthy in California. During the drills, ground, naval, and air elements from all three branches of the PLA simulated strikes and a blockade of Taiwan.
According to officials in Taipei, 12 PLAN warships and more than 90 aircraft were operating in the region of Taiwan as of Monday.
At least four J-15 missions entered Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone over the weekend, a first for simulating strikes from the east of the island, according to Taiwan security officials.
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