The China-Taiwan saga continues as China decided to extend its live-fire military drills surrounding Taiwan. Taiwanese military officials have confirmed that Chinese warships and aircraft have essentially created a blockade under the guise of a live-fire drill, violating their sovereign airspace. They also said that Taiwan does not seek war but they are ready to respond to Chinese aggression.
Highlights:-
- China Launched live-fire drills on Aug. 4 upon the arrival of US Representative Nancy Pelosi in Taipei
- China accuses the US to violate the “One-China” policy. The US acknowledges Taiwan’s right to self-defense but not Independence.
- China launches ballistic missiles that splashed Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Taiwanese Military on high alert monitoring Chinese live-fire drill, prepping anti-air capabilities against Chinese aggression.
- The Taiwanese Military starts live-fire drills simulating defensive tactics.
Following the arrival of the US representative Nancy Pelosi in Taipei amidst China-Taiwan tension, China launched a 4-day live-fire military exercise off the coast of Taiwan. Essentially, creating a blockade around Taiwan, forcing trade ships to avail themselves of an alternative route for commerce.
As the Chinese pressure is building up on the region, the shadow war is intensifying as both China and Taiwan are showing off their military expertise and superiority in both offensive and defensive tactics.
While China accuses the United States to intervene in China-Taiwan politics, the United States has claimed that even though they recognize Taiwan’s right to self-defense, they do not recognize Taiwan as an independent State.
Why Is the US interested In Taiwan?
Even though the US does not have any standing diplomatic treaty with Taiwan, it does have a long-standing unofficial economic relationship.
Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s semiconductors essential for tech companies all over the world, even in China. Taiwan’s main revenue comes from the export of semiconductors.
According to the U.S. Department of State claims “Since 2020, the United States and Taiwan, under the auspices of AIT and TECRO, have held the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue to enhance economic and commercial ties, including supply chain security and resiliency, investment screening, health, science and technology, and the digital economy. “
But it is just the tip of the iceberg. With growing Chinese dominance on the South China Sea, Taiwan undoubtedly has a geographical strategic advantage its ports and airfield can be used as staging grounds for offensive or defensive purposes.
Since WWII, the US has been using Japanese ports and airfields as a Forward Operating Base for Naval exercises, the loss of Taiwan will mean that China will have a further reach in the pacifics that can translate as a threat to Japan and its allies.
What kind of Conflict between China and Taiwan are we looking forward to?
Although Taiwan does claim that they are ready to respond to Chinese aggression, statistics suggest otherwise. Even though the Chinese military comprises 20-30 year aged battle tanks with outdated technology, their main superiority lies in their Navy.
With the largest navy in the world comprising 355 ships and submarines, 145+ major surface combatants, and Yushin class amphibious vehicles, make the Chinese military is tailor-made for amphibious assaults according to a report Published by the US Department of Defence in 2021.
On the other hand, Taiwan only out qualifies China in the number of Reserve personnel.
Looking at the current war in Ukraine, there is little chance that the Taiwanese military will be helped by any ally country apart from logistical support with Arms, yet the chances are pretty slim looking at the current blockade formation.
China can essentially cut off Taiwan from the rest of the world, cutting off its essential logistics with its far superior Naval forces. Hence a war with China will be nothing less than utter devastation to the Taiwanese military and population.
So far Taiwanese military has claimed that they have spotted 66 planes and 14 warships taking part in the live fire exercise. Also, they have spotted 4 UAVs over Taiwanese Airspace for Surveillance purposes.
A Time of Uncertainty
It is not the first time that we have seen a superpower intimidating its neighboring countries. It has happened before and in such circumstances, we often expect that the issues will be solved diplomatically.
But with the Russo-Ukrainian war, the world is facing a new and yet archaic possibility of a full-fledged invasion under the guise of training exercises turned into special operations.
While the mortal dread of war lives in the hearts and minds of Taiwanese people, it is a matter of time to see how the story unfolds.
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