China's Aggressive Military Drives Tensions with Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - A heightened atmosphere of tension persists in the Taiwan Strait as China continued its assertive stance towards Taiwan, reported the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Saturday.
According to the MND, seven Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan's territory until 6 am local time. One of the aircraft crossed into Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), prompting a response from the Taiwanese authorities.
This development marks another escalation in the increased military activity by China in the region, which has been witnessed over the past few days. On Friday, the MND reported the presence of five Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels, while on Thursday, five PLAN vessels were detected operating near the island.
The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions between China and its democratic neighbor. Japan, a key ally of Taiwan, has expressed concern over the rising military activities in the region, with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi urging both parties to maintain peace and stability across the strait during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also voiced criticism of China's actions, accusing Beijing of "bullying Taiwan" and seeking control of critical infrastructure in ways that could destabilize societies. He emphasized China's expanding military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, as a cause for global concern.
China views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve reunification with the island. Beijing justifies its actions as necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and counter what it perceives as foreign interference, particularly from the United States.
Following recent US military aid and arms sales to Taiwan, China imposed sanctions on seven American companies, denouncing the arms deals as violations of bilateral agreements and interference in China's domestic affairs.
Taiwan has consistently condemned China's military manoeuvres, asserting its right to self-defence and sovereignty. Officials argue that such actions threaten regional peace and disrupt international trade routes.
The island has garnered support from the US and other democratic allies, who advocate for maintaining the status quo and opposing unilateral changes through force in a bid to preserve regional stability.