Despite Taipei’s claim that the exercises are routine, many think that given their close proximity to Taiwan, China is probably sending a message. The drills are also a part of a larger campaign in which Chinese aircraft and ships have frequently entered Taiwanese airspace and territory, a tactic known as “grey zone warfare” meant to normalize the incursions and gradually erode Taiwan’s power.
Taiwan’s allies, particularly the United States, have increased their maneuvers in tandem with the Chinese drills. The US Pacific fleet was the only foreign navy to frequently cross the Taiwan Strait, which divides the two sides, in order to demonstrate its freedom of navigation for many years. However, in recent years, as part of what are referred to as “high-visibility” operations, other US allies such as Canada, Germany, Australia, and Japan have begun joining these patrols.
Most recently, the United States and Canada navigated the waters with their warships over the weekend. The US and China are signaling more, according to analysts. Washington has made it plain that it supports Taiwan, while Beijing is highlighting its claims to the island. However, a U.S. official told the BBC that Washington is eager to ease tensions with Beijing because of the US’s current focus on European and Middle Eastern problems.
However, China continues to pose a longer-term danger to the United States, the official stated. Last Monday, Beijing deployed a record number of 153 military aircraft, as well as warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan in an exercise designed to simulate an attack by land, sea and air. This followed Taiwanese President William Lai’s National Day speech on 10 October, where he pledged to “resist annexation or encroachment upon [Taiwan’s] sovereignty”. China and Taiwan are “not subordinate to each other”, he said, adding that China “has no right to represent Taiwan”. China has repeatedly vowed to take Taiwan by force if necessary. It has long seen Lai as a “troublemaker” advocating for Taiwan’s independence.
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