China in recent weeks has dramatically increased its military drills around Taiwan. The move is seen as Beijing’s provocation towards Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, who was re-elected in a landslide in January.
China has long held military drills in Taiwanese territorial waters and airspace. However this month, the People’s Liberation Army Airforce conducted a 36-hour endurance exercise.
Relations between Taiwan and China have been on the decline since 2016 when Tsai, who has taken a more pro-Taiwan stance than her main competitor, was first elected president.
Taiwan has earlier blamed China for stepping up its drills near to the island, instead of focusing its efforts on combating the spread of the coronavirus.
In February, during a Taiwanese public holiday, a Chinese Xi’an H-6 strategic bomber was seen close to the island’s southwest coast.
In March, Chinese J-11 fighters and KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft flew into the waters southwest of Taiwan for night-time exercises, and came close to Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone.
Last week, China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning and a convoy of five warships sailed close to Taiwan through the Miyako Strait.
The drills come as Taiwan and the US’ defensive capabilities have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, health experts have praised Taiwan for its response to the virus, while China’s handling of the virus raises international doubts.
China, which refuses to acknowledge Taiwan’s sovereignty, has insisted that the drills are intended to protect its sovereignty and send a warning that it will not tolerate any moves towards formal independence for Taiwan.
