International-News

Taiwan: Taipei accuses China of military encirclement of the island

Unprecedented naval and air deployments, criticism of Beijing after Taiwanese president’s trip abroad

In the past 24 hours, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence has recorded a significant increase in Chinese military activities near the island. Nineteen naval units, including 11 belonging to the navy, and 53 People’s Liberation Army (EPL) aircraft were detected. Of these, 23 crossed the ‘median line’ of the Taiwan Strait, a virtual line that Beijing does not recognise. Today’s deployment represents an increase from yesterday, when 47 aircraft and 21 naval units were reported.

According to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, this is the largest deployment in years, with the addition of the Chinese Coast Guard alongside the EPL.

Taipei’s accusations

The Taiwanese government accuses China of ‘disrupting peace and stability’ in the region. Through an official post, the Ministry of Defence pointed out that Chinese operations are creating security risks in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

China, for its part, has not officially announced any new large-scale exercises. However, the first overseas trip of Taiwanese President William Lai, who made stopovers in Hawaii and Guam, fuelled the tension.

Beijing’s statements

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated that the Taiwan issue represents a ‘red line’ in relations with the US. Mao accused Taiwanese separatist forces and international support of fuelling instability in the Taiwan Strait. He also reaffirmed the ‘one China principle’ as the basis for maintaining peace in the region.

Prospects for regional instability

These developments reflect increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan, which Beijing considers a ‘rebel province’. Military manoeuvres and official pronouncements indicate a hardening of positions, with increasing risks for regional stability and China-US relations.

THE LATEST NEWS