Copyright Newsweek
Military tensions across the Taiwan Strait remain high, with both China and Taiwan conducting war games in recent days in preparation for a potential armed conflict. The Chinese military claimed that its units "are always ready for battle," while the Taiwanese military emphasized its resolve to safeguard regional peace and stability. Why It Matters China, officially the People's Republic of China, has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, a self-ruled island known as the Republic of China, despite the Communist Party having governed it. Beijing has threatened to use force, if necessary, to achieve what it calls "unification." While the U.S. military has warned that China could be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, President Donald Trump recently said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not launch an invasion while Trump was in the White House. The latest drills come as China prepares its forces for amphibious assaults to project ground units from sea to shore, while Taiwan strengthens its defense posture by acquiring U.S.-made weapons to make any Chinese invasion attempt more costly. What To Know China's state broadcaster CCTV, citing the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command, reported last week that a shore-based naval missile regiment recently conducted "realistic combat exercises" to hone its capabilities. During the war game held at an undisclosed location, the missile regiment conducted coordinated precision strikes in multiple assault groups, supported by "early warning forces" that rapidly provided targeting data and identified optimal attack positions, the report said. Official images showed missile launch vehicles deployed in formation, firing missiles at targets at sea. According to the report, "enemy" vessels that survived the first round of strikes tried to flee but were quickly sunk by backup assault groups. The Pentagon's China Military Power Report said the Eastern Theater Command is responsible for military operations related to Taiwan, including contingencies in and around the Taiwan Strait, a waterway roughly 80 miles wide at its narrowest point. Despite China's claims of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, which connects the East and South China seas, the U.S. and its allies regularly deploy naval vessels through the strait to assert navigational rights and freedoms. Meanwhile in Taiwan, the navy recently completed its annual drill, which included mine-laying, air and sea surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, joint interception and joint anti-blockade operations, Taiwan's official Military News Agency said in a recent report. Photos released by the Taiwanese navy showed an anti-submarine helicopter releasing a torpedo, alongside warships firing missiles and guns. For the goal of "achieving true peace through strength," the Taiwanese navy said officers and sailors continuously honed their combat skills, demonstrating their resolve to safeguard sea lines of communication and maintain peace and stability. What People Are Saying China Central Television reported on October 16: "During this exercise, the regiment closely aligned itself with actual combat innovations and breakthroughs, effectively honing the officers and soldiers' coordinated combat and strike capabilities, laying a solid foundation for safeguarding the maritime border. The navy's coastal defense troops are always ready for battle." Taiwan's Military News Agency reported on October 17: "The Navy Command stated that the participating officers and soldiers completed each task with professionalism and strict discipline, demonstrating the Navy's ability to respond immediately and sustain combat operations in a multi-threat environment." What Happens Next The Chinese and Taiwanese militaries continue to prepare for war, with tensions unlikely to ease in the near term. The U.S. is expected to maintain its military presence in the region to deter any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
