The U.S. reaffirms support for Taiwan while China conducts significant sea-based military training around the island to prevent worsening cross-strait tensions.
Chinese aggressive behavior makes experts believe that relations will worsen, potentially leading to military conflict.
U.S. Stands Firm with Taiwan as China’s Military Drills Raise Tensions
The Taiwan Strait maintains a position as a key conflict zone because China continues to conduct large-scale naval exercises around the self-governed island of Taiwan. China’s military exercises entered their second day on Wednesday, which caused regional experts to fear rising instability in the area. Because China launched military drills as threats towards Taiwan, the United States has strengthened its solidarity with Taiwan by attacking Beijing’s intimidating military maneuvers.
Intensifying tensions continue to rise in the Taiwan Strait
New Chinese military exercises occurred at a time when political ties between Beijing and Taipei showed substantial degradation. The People’s Liberation Army of China uses a series of combined operations to coordinate its terrestrial and maritime forces by conducting training exercises to attack both water and land targets. The defense authorities in Taiwan identified 76 aircraft alongside 15 naval ships and 4 state-owned vessels that encircled the island during the notable “Joint Sword-2024B” drills from October of the previous year.
Taiwan, in turn, has initiated its defensive moves, mobilizing aircraft, navy ships, and coastal missile defense into action. Still, island leaders remain uneasy about China’s increasing pressure.
The U.S. Sends a Clear Message
In a plain-spoken announcement Tuesday night, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned Beijing’s military build-up, affirming Washington’s commitment to Taiwan.
“Even with China’s intimidation and destabilization attempts, the United States’ long-standing support for our allies and partners, including Taiwan, endures,” Bruce stated.
The stance is in line with Washington’s broader policy of supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, a step China perceives as interference in what it perceives as an internal matter.
Why Is Beijing Increasing Its Military Presence?
Experts maintain that China’s recent show of force is a direct response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent remarks. Lai, who remained firm on the sovereignty of Taiwan, referred to China as a “foreign hostile force” in a speech last month. He also proposed legal and economic measures against Beijing’s efforts to influence the island.
China’s military maneuvers around Taiwan have become commonplace, but this particular exercise, just weeks after Lai’s speech, raises suspicions. According to Eurasia Group experts, the delay is most likely owed to a flagship business summit in Beijing where Chinese leaders courted multinational executives.
“The holding of an exercise in the Taiwan Strait while foreign CEOs were in town would have created a chilling effect against Beijing’s efforts to attract foreign investment,” read the advisory firm’s comment. With the summit now behind them, it looks like China will flex its military muscle.
An Imminent Crisis?
Political observers point out that Beijing’s willingness to ease cross-strait tensions is fading, creating a strong likelihood for a regional crisis.
“Beijing is using its military power as a form of intimidation upon Taiwan, trying to remind them of how big they are,” David Silbey, a professor of military history at Cornell University, noted.
As tensions soar, Taiwan is doing all it can in preparation for any escalation. The allies,—the U.S. among them—are watching closely, waiting to see whether any further diplomatic efforts will avert this situation from becoming a bona fide crisis.
