China's military has stirred tensions by setting up a zone for 'live-fire training' off the southwestern coast of Taiwan without prior notice, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. This move follows the detention of a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of cutting an undersea cable in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan's defense ministry reported detecting 32 Chinese military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait, with 22 of them flying near the north and southwest of the island. These aircraft were said to have conducted a 'joint combat readiness patrol' with Chinese warships.
The ministry criticized China for unilaterally designating a drill zone approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung without warning, citing a violation of international norms. China's Foreign Ministry did not comment on the matter, dismissing it as 'not a diplomatic issue.'
China's Communist Party considers Taiwan its territory and has expressed intentions to reunify with the island, even by force if necessary. Under Xi Jinping's leadership, Beijing has intensified military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan.
Kaohsiung, a vital commercial center for Taiwan, hosts the island's largest and busiest port. Taiwan's defense ministry raised concerns over China's declaration of the drill zone within international shipping lanes, labeling it a threat to aviation and maritime safety.
The ministry condemned China's actions as a 'blatant provocation against regional security and stability,' emphasizing the need for vigilance in the face of escalating tensions.
