China increases military drills around Taiwan amid rising tensions

New Delhi, Oct 14: China is conducting large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, calling them a “stern warning” to those pushing for the island’s independence. The drills follow a speech by Taiwanese President William Lai, in which he vowed to resist any attempt by Beijing to annex the self-ruled island as reported by the international media. Similar military manoeuvres were conducted earlier this year following Lai’s inauguration.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command released a video featuring warships, fighter jets, armoured vehicles, missile launchers, and amphibious landing craft in a show of might. Chinese authorities describe the drills as a dress rehearsal for a potential coordinated assault on Taiwan, practising attacks from multiple directions.

Taiwan’s government has condemned the exercises as provocative. In response, the Taiwanese military posted its own video via the Military News Agency, asserting that the island is ready to defend its sovereignty. Despite the heightened military activity, Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation reported that air traffic and port operations remain normal.

On Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it was “on alert” after detecting a Chinese naval carrier group near the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines. The carrier group, led by the Liaoning, is expected to enter the Western Pacific. The ministry’s warning adds to growing concerns in Taiwan about a possible new round of increased Chinese war games in the region.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that it intends to reunite with the mainland, while Taiwan insists it is a self-governing entity with its own government and military. Analysts note that while such drills have become routine, their scale is increasing, raising fears of potential miscalculations that could lead to conflict.

Although tensions are high, there is no immediate sign that war is imminent. However, Taiwan has placed its forces on alert as a precaution. While operations at Taiwan’s largest airport, Taoyuan International Airport, have seen minor delays, there have been no major disruptions regional media ported. Government agencies are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of citizens and the smooth operation of transportation services.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian leaders have called for swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, where tensions have also been rising. In a statement released after meetings in Laos, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) urged member states to finalise a maritime code based on international law to reduce tensions and avoid misunderstandings in the disputed waters.

The South China Sea, a critical trade route through which $3 trillion worth of goods pass annually, has been a major point of contention, particularly between China and ASEAN nations such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

The United States, bound by treaty to defend Taiwan and Philippines, is also closely monitoring the situation, as rising confrontations in the area have raised the risk of broader conflict.

The ASEAN statement cited “positive momentum” in talks on the code of conduct, which China and ASEAN first agreed upon in 2002. However, the formal process of developing the agreement did not begin until 2017. The bloc expressed hope for the early conclusion of a comprehensive and effective code of conduct in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.