A senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters that the government’s assessments of China’s recent military drills around the island suggest that Beijing is preparing its military for a full-scale attack on Taiwan.
On Monday, October 14, in response to remarks made by Taiwanese President Ching-te on the country’s National Day, which China called “separatist actions,” China conducted a large-scale military exercise around the island.
The exercise involved 153 aircraft and 25 warships. Taiwan reported that during the drill, Chinese Coast Guard vessels came as close as 38 kilometers to the island’s coast. This marks the fourth major military exercise by China’s People’s Liberation Army around Taiwan in the past five years.
Speaking anonymously to Reuters, a senior Taiwanese security official said, “China’s People’s Liberation Army are increasing their capacity to turn military exercises into actual conflicts.”
The official added that China has ramped up its pressure on Taiwan, and the recent drill posed more of a threat to Taiwan than ever before.
In addition, a senior diplomatic official in Taipei, also speaking anonymously, told Reuters that the speed of troop mobilization and military capability displayed by China’s military during the drill represents a “significant threat” to Taiwan.
The diplomatic official stated, “The level of readiness keeps rising. They can shift from no military activity to drills, and from drills to war, in very little time.”
Tensions between China and Taiwan have recently escalated over Taiwan’s sovereignty. China considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory, while Taiwan asserts that it is an independent country and only its people can decide its future.
Tensions have risen further recently as Taiwan has drawn closer to Washington.
China’s growing military capabilities and readiness have heightened Taiwan’s risks. Beijing’s proximity to Washington may intensify the situation, increasing the likelihood of conflict.
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