…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has announced the detection of three Chinese warships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, passing through the Taiwan Strait.
The self-ruled island, which China claims as its own, is facing continued pressure from Beijing.
The ministry stated that it is closely monitoring the movements of the ships and will respond accordingly.
China’s Military Activities Surrounding Taiwan Escalate Amid Strained US-China Relations
China has been intensifying its military activities near Taiwan in recent months, coinciding with deteriorating relations between the United States and China.
Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.
Chinese ships and warplanes regularly enter the airspace and waters near the island.
Within a 24-hour period, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported the detection of 33 People’s Liberation Army aircraft and 10 navy vessels near Taiwan, with some crossing the unofficial boundary known as the median line or entering the island’s air defense identification zone.
In response, Taiwan’s armed forces have deployed aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems.
Analysts Predict China’s Potential Approach in Taiwan Crisis
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has predicted that the United States and its allies will soon face a crisis in the South China Sea, with China considering a blockade around Taiwan followed by an attempt to take over the island.
Bolton believes that China aims to keep Taiwan’s infrastructure intact and would initially impose an air and naval blockade to gauge the response from America and its allies.
The purpose would be to create a crisis and test whether countries such as the United States and Japan would come to Taiwan’s aid.
The scenario presented by Bolton suggests a different approach than an outright invasion, as China seeks to incorporate Taiwan’s production facilities and infrastructure into its capabilities.
These developments have sparked concerns about a potential conflict, given the heated rhetoric from both sides.
However, analysts argue that China may opt for alternative strategies rather than a full-scale military invasion, highlighting the importance of supply lines and international responses in the Pacific region.