The Chinese military has labeled recent drills near Taiwan as a “legitimate” response to what it calls “provocative separatist rhetoric” from the region’s leaders, escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
What Sparked the Drills? The exercises followed comments by Taiwan region leader Lai Ching-te, who asserted that cross-strait relations are “not subordinate,” and referred to the Chinese mainland as a “foreign hostile force.” The PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted readiness patrols and joint exercises in March, testing military capabilities, according to Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian.
“Punishment for Separatists” Wu stated the drills were a “stern warning” against those pushing for independence and external interference—a nod to Taiwan’s recent engagements with the U.S. Washington has increased arms sales to the region, which Beijing condemns as undermining stability.
What’s Next? The PLA vowed to “defeat any separatist attempt,” aligning with the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy for “resolving the Taiwan question.” Analysts suggest such exercises could become more frequent as cross-strait rhetoric hardens.
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