New tensions have shot up after China fired missiles at Taiwan. This follows a huge two-day military exercise called “Justice Mission 2025”. China stationed warships, bombers, and special ships around the island to rehearse how it would contain Taiwan from the rest of the world. These exercises are the biggest ever from these giant drills and they have come closer to Taiwan´s coast than ever.
A Show of Military Power
On the second day of war games, China’s military concentrated on “live-fire” drills, meaning with actual weapons. Rockets were launched into the sea at five places around the island. China also deployed for the first time its new Type 075 assault ship, a vast vessel intended to carry tanks and helicopters for a beach landing. Beijing says these actions are a “punishment” and a warning to those who support an independent Taiwan.
The Chinese military also took the occasion to practice hitting individual targets on land. They are particularly eager to learn how to disable the US-manufactured HIMARS rocket systems which Taiwan has in its possession. In a show of force, Chinese state media released posters and videos depicting a mock attack on the island. Some of these videos went so far as to employ robots and robotic dogs to demonstrate what a battle in the future might resemble.
Leaders in Taiwan have described these steps as irrational and dangerous for the region. China is not behaving as a responsible world power, President Lai Ching-te said. He addressed the public and said that Taiwan’s soldiers are ready to protect their homeland but don’t “want to cause trouble” or start a fight. Taiwan’s military is closely watching whether China might fire missiles directly over the island, something that hasn’t happened in years.
Disruption to Travel and Trade
The war games were causing so much trouble for travellers. Many planes and ships must detour. According to aviation experts in Taiwan, more than 100,000 travellers are affected by these changes. Most international flights are still operating but are being forced to fly much longer routes to remain safe.
It’s one of the busiest business spots in the world. Trillions of dollars worth of goods are shipped through the waters around Taiwan each year. If these routes are blocked for a long time, that may push up prices for electronics and other consumer goods globally. Most ships are now attempting to circumnavigate the danger zones, but with a substantial Chinese coast guard in presence.
Taiwan’s coast guard itself has had several “standoffs” with Chinese ships. They have been tailing the Chinese vessels closely, shifting ship-for-ship to cut them off from Taiwan’s controlled waters. At one time 130 Chinese warplanes and 22 ships were seen around the island in a single day. This sustained pressure is intended to wear down Taiwan’s military and demonstrate that China can seal off the island when it wishes.
Why Is This Happening Now?
These massive war games began just 11 days after the United States committed to sell $11 billion in weapons to Taiwan. China was furious about that deal and said it would take “forceful measures” in response. Chinese leaders in Beijing say Taiwan is part of China, but Taiwan’s government disagrees and says the island is already an independent country whose people should be allowed to decide their own future.
The tension is also linked to a recent statement from Japan. A top Japanese official indicated that the country could come to Taiwan’s aid if China were ever to attack. This only made China more determined to flex its muscle. China has a goal to be prepared for a prospective invasion as early as 2027, and these exercises are how they rehearse the complex tactics required to win such a war.
Despite all the threats and missile launches, life in Taiwan’s cities goes on mostly as normal. People there say they are accustomed to China’s warnings and see these exercises as another attempt to intimidate them. But military experts say these war games are becoming more realistic every year. They fear that both sides may make a small error during such exercises, one that could spiral into a much larger conflict.
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