Summary:
- China staged a new round of military drills around Taiwan on Monday.
- Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory, while Taiwan maintains it is a self-governed democracy.
- Taiwan has offered talks with China but has been rebuffed.
TAIPEI, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A senior Taiwanese security official stated that China is enhancing its ability to turn military exercises into a rapid assault, providing insight into the strategic intent behind Beijing's recent war games near Taiwan. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized that these drills increase the likelihood of conflict, underscoring China's growing military threat to the island.
China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, conducted large-scale drills on Monday, citing them as a response to "separatist acts" following Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s recent national day speech. Over the past five years, Taiwan has faced near-daily Chinese military activity, including multiple rounds of war games and frequent "joint combat readiness patrols."
"They are building up the ability to turn military exercises into actual conflict," the official said during a briefing in Taipei. Taiwan reported that a record 153 Chinese aircraft participated in the latest drills, accompanied by 25 naval and coast guard vessels, which approached Taiwan's 24-mile contiguous zone.
"They came very close to Taiwan, increasing pressure and reducing our response time," the official added. "This drill posed a greater threat than any previous ones." While no missiles were fired toward Taiwan, China practiced missile launches during the drills, the official noted.
China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment but has warned of further actions against Taiwan if necessary. Beijing continues to assert that it will never renounce the use of force over Taiwan.
Escalating Military Drills
Taiwan's intelligence detected signs of the drills in advance and positioned key military assets, including mobile missile launchers, before China's war games began on Monday. President Lai has rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that only the Taiwanese people can determine the island’s future. Despite repeated offers for talks, China has consistently rebuffed Taiwan’s outreach.
In a report to parliament on Thursday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry highlighted that China currently conducts three to four "joint combat readiness patrols" per month, which it described as provocations increasing the military threat to Taiwan. Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned that China could initiate more drills at any time and for any reason, reflecting its "hegemonic nature."
Taiwan's annual Han Kuang war games have incorporated plans to counter a reduced response time in case China suddenly shifts from drills to a real attack. A regional security expert warned that China’s exercises present a significant threat, as they rapidly enhance its military’s ability to mobilize and engage in combat.
"The permanent state of readiness is rising – China can transition from peace to drills to war almost instantly," said the diplomat, who also requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Enduring Threat
Taiwan has lived under the shadow of a potential invasion since 1949, when the Republic of China government retreated to the island after losing the Chinese Civil War to Mao Zedong's communist forces. Despite the increased military activity, the recent drills have not caused widespread concern among Taiwanese civilians or impacted the island's financial markets.
When asked about the possibility of war with China, Taiwan's central bank governor, Yang Chin-long, reassured parliament that appropriate preparations were in place but did not provide further details.
China's military buildup and increasingly aggressive drills have raised concerns that Beijing could quickly escalate from military exercises to an actual attack, leaving Taiwan with little time to respond.
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