The recent escalation in China’s military movements around Taiwan has heightened the possibility of situations “getting out of hand” and leading to an unintended conflict, stated the island’s defence minister on Saturday.
In the past two weeks, Taiwan has reported numerous encounters with fighters, drones, bombers, and other aircraft, along with warships and the Chinese carrier the Shandong, in proximate areas.
China, perceiving democratically ruled Taiwan as a part of its domain, has in the recent years conducted numerous exercises around the island, aiming to reinforce its territorial assertions and apply pressure on Taipei.
When asked by journalists during a parliamentary session about the risk of unforeseen incidents leading to a wider conflict due to the regularity of Chinese activities, Taiwan’s Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng stated, “This is a matter of great concern for us.”
He added that warships from China’s southern and eastern theatre commands have been collaboratively operating off the east coast of Taiwan.
Chiu warned that the possibility of incidents involving aircraft, naval vessels, and weaponry is escalating and necessitates vigilance from both parties involved.
China has remained silent on the exercises occurring around Taiwan, with its defence ministry not providing any responses to requests for comments.
Chiu noted that when the Shandong was at sea, initially reported by Taiwan on September 11, it acted as the “opposing force” in the exercises.
Furthermore, Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang stated that the forces of China’s Eastern Theatre Command acted as the “attacking force,” replicating a combat situation.
Historically, Taiwan’s military strategies for prospective conflicts include utilizing its mountainous east coast, housing two primary air bases, as a retreat and consolidation point due to its indirect exposure to China, unlike Taiwan’s west coast.
However, China has been increasingly demonstrating its military might off Taiwan’s east coast, showcasing its capability to conduct operations far from its own shores.
Typically, China conducts extensive military drills from July to September, as per Taiwan’s defence ministry.
The ministry, on Saturday, noted a reduction in China’s military activities, sighting only two Chinese aircraft within its air defence zone in the preceding 24 hours.
Taiwan has often asserted its intention to maintain composure and refrain from escalating tensions but has also clarified that it will not tolerate “persistent provocations” from China, whose military has yet to infringe upon Taiwan’s territorial waters or airspace.
