Recent military drills conducted by China near Taiwan have raised concerns about the possibility of a real Chinese blockade of the island, which Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo has warned would be considered an act of war with significant international repercussions.
China, asserting its claim over Taiwan, has been increasing its military activities around the island, including simulated blockades and attacks on ports. Despite Taiwan's rejection of Beijing's sovereignty claims, China continues to conduct military exercises in the region.
The latest war games, named 'Joint Sword-2024B,' involved simulating blockades of key ports and areas, as well as assaults on maritime and ground targets. While there were no formal no-flight or no-sail zones declared, Koo emphasized that a full blockade would be deemed a form of war under international law.
Highlighting the global implications of a blockade, Koo pointed out that one-fifth of global freight passes through the Taiwan Strait, making it a critical international trade route. He stressed that the international community would not stand idly by in the event of a blockade.
China's military activities in the region have been ongoing, with a recent sighting of a Chinese aircraft carrier group passing through the Taiwan Strait. The presence of the Liaoning aircraft carrier near Taiwan has raised tensions, especially as China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
While China claims jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan and the United States assert that it is an international waterway. The US Navy and other allied nations regularly conduct freedom of navigation operations in the strait, further escalating tensions with Beijing.
Taiwan has expressed concerns about China's use of its coast guard in military exercises, fearing that Taiwanese civilian ships may be intercepted. Taiwan's coast guard has vowed to respond firmly to any such actions, maintaining a stance of neither provocation nor retreat.
