China is currently conducting live-fire drills off the coast of its southern Fujian province facing Taiwan. This comes shortly after a significant air-and-sea drill that Beijing described as a response to Taiwan's president rejecting its claims of sovereignty. The live-fire drills are taking place near the Pingtan islands, as per a notice from the Maritime Safety Administration, which has warned ships to steer clear of the area without providing further details.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry has acknowledged China's drills as part of an annual exercise and stated that they are closely monitoring the situation. The ministry also noted that the drills could be a means to enhance deterrence in alignment with the dynamics in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan, a self-ruled island, is claimed by Beijing as part of China, leading to escalating tensions in recent years.
China has been increasing its presence in the waters and skies around Taiwan, frequently deploying warplanes and navy vessels for military exercises near the island. In a recent one-day military exercise, China practiced the 'sealing off of key ports and key areas,' resulting in Taiwan recording a high number of aircraft, navy vessels, and Chinese government ships in its vicinity.
Taiwan's premier has urged China to cease its exercises targeting Taiwan, emphasizing that such military activities pose a threat to regional peace and stability. In response to Chinese maneuvers, the U.S. has continued conducting 'freedom of navigation' transits through the Taiwan Strait, with recent passages by the destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver.
Germany has also demonstrated its defense engagement in the Asia-Pacific region by sending two warships through the Taiwan Strait last month. Additionally, China has been exerting diplomatic pressure on Taiwan by poaching its allies, as evidenced by South Africa's request for Taiwan to relocate its liaison office outside the capital, Pretoria, to appease China, a request that Taiwan has vowed to challenge.
