Taiwan has reported that a Chinese aircraft carrier group is sailing southward towards the island, raising alarms in Taipei about a potential new round of Chinese military exercises. The move comes as China’s military released a video declaring it is “prepared for battle.”
China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, has expressed strong disapproval of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist.” Last week, during his national day speech, Lai asserted that the People’s Republic of China has no authority to represent Taiwan. However, he also expressed a willingness to collaborate with Beijing on shared challenges like climate change, a statement that incited anger in China.
Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed that the Chinese navy, led by the aircraft carrier Liaoning, had entered waters near the Bashi Channel, a critical passage between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. The ministry indicated that the carrier group is expected to continue into the Western Pacific and stated that Taiwan’s armed forces are closely monitoring the situation while maintaining “appropriate vigilance and response.”
Security sources in Taiwan had previously warned that Lai’s remarks might trigger renewed Chinese military drills, the last of which occurred in May as a form of retaliation for Lai’s inauguration speech. On the same day, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command shared a propaganda video on social media, titled “Fully Prepared and Biding One’s Time Before Battle.” The video featured footage of fighter jets, warships, and missile launchers, alongside a map of Taiwan.
While China has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, its defense ministry did not respond to inquiries outside office hours. A Taiwanese security official, speaking anonymously, indicated that they are closely monitoring both military activities and reactions from Chinese media regarding Lai’s speech, which has been described as “confrontational” and detrimental.
A second security source cautioned that while China might be cautious about provoking a crisis ahead of the upcoming US elections, the possibility of more military exercises targeting Taiwan remains. China is currently engaged in its annual military drills, which could be reframed as exercises directed at Taiwan.
Additionally, China’s commerce ministry threatened Taiwan with increased trade sanctions, seen as part of its broader economic coercion strategy. Lai and his government continue to reject Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, asserting that only the people of Taiwan have the authority to determine their future, despite repeated offers for dialogue that have been consistently rebuffed by Beijing.
