China’s military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan on Sunday, with the island’s defense ministry reporting multiple air force sorties and that it was watching China’s missile forces. On Saturday, the day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a brief visit to the United States, China began three days of military drills near the island. According to China’s official television, war preparedness patrols and drills near Taiwan are still ongoing.
“Under the unified command of the theatre joint operations command center, multiple types of units carried out simulated joint precision strikes on key targets on Taiwan island and the surrounding sea areas, and continue to maintain an offensive posture around the island,” it said.
According to a Taiwan security source, Chinese training around the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, featured simulated attacks on aircraft carrier groups as well as anti-submarine maneuvers on Saturday.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that as of Sunday midday (0400 GMT), 58 Chinese aircraft, including Su-30 fighters and H-6 bombers, as well as nine ships, had been observed around Taiwan. According to the ministry, they were paying particular attention to the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force, which is in charge of China’s land-based missile system.
“Regarding the movements of the Chinese communists’ Rocket Force, the nation’s military also has a close grasp through the joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system, and air defense forces remain on high alert,” the ministry said.
Taiwan’s army will “not aggravate confrontations or generate disagreements,” it said and will respond “appropriately” to China’s drills.
Life in Taiwan Unaffected by Chinese Military Drills Amid Rising Tensions
Life in Taiwan has gone on as usual, with no signs of panic or interruption caused by the Chinese drills. During a visit to Taipei by Nancy Pelosi, then-Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, China performed war simulations around Taiwan, involving missile launches into waters near the island. This time, no such drills have been announced.
Tsai saw the current speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, while in Los Angeles last week on what was officially labeled as transit on her way back from Central America, ignoring Beijing’s warnings.
On Sunday, the de facto US embassy in Taiwan stated that the US is closely monitoring China’s drills surrounding Taiwan and is “comfortable and confident” that it has sufficient regional resources and capabilities to preserve peace and stability.
According to a representative for the American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as an embassy in the lack of official diplomatic ties, US channels of contact with China remain open, and the US has continuously encouraged prudence and no change to the status quo. America broke diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing but is required by law to give the island with the tools to defend itself.
China, which has never renounced the use of force to take control of the island, claims Taiwan is the most significant and sensitive issue in its ties with the US, and the subject is a frequent cause of friction. Beijing regards Tsai as a separatist and has repeatedly rejected her calls for dialogue. Tsai claims that only Taiwanese citizens can decide their country’s future.
Chinese military activity near Taiwan raises tensions in the region
China has increased its military pressure on Taiwan during the last three years or so, flying regular operations around the island but not in its territorial air space or over the island itself. Taiwan’s defense ministry said earlier on Sunday that it had seen 71 Chinese air force planes and nine naval vessels in the previous 24 hours.
According to a chart issued by the ministry, over half of those aircraft, including Su-30s and J-11s, breached the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which has long served as an unofficial border between the two sides. According to China state media, the aircraft were armed with live weapons. Taiwanese air force jets often carry live weapons when scrambling to repel Chinese intrusions.
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, which controls the Coast Guard, posted footage on its YouTube page late Saturday showing one of its ships shadowing a Chinese cruiser but did not specify the location.
“You are seriously harming regional peace, stability, and security. Please immediately turn around and leave. If you continue to proceed we will take expulsion measures,” a Coast Guard officer radios to the Chinese ship.
In another video, a Taiwanese warship, the Di Hua, was seen accompanying the Coast Guard ship in what the Coast Guard officer described as a “close encounter.” “standoff” with a Chinese destroyer.
Civilian flights across Taiwan have resumed as usual, including to Kinmen and Matsu, two groupings of Taiwan-controlled islands directly adjacent to the Chinese shore. Civilian air travel was interrupted in August when China declared effective no-fly zones in several blocks near Taiwan where it was firing missiles.