Taiwan’s military drills focus

party frequently claimed in the run-up to the presidential election that the DPP’s candidate Lai Ching-te would lead Taiwan towards war, Beijing’s reaction to his victory has been muted.

Taiwanese national security officials nonetheless said they expected the People’s Liberation Army to resume larger-scale manoeuvres in the vicinity of the island from March onward, when China’s military exercise season begins.

Taipei also protested against Beijing’s decision last week to change civil aviation routes over the strait that separates the countries in a way that brings Chinese civilian aircraft closer to the unofficial median line. Beijing did not consult Taiwan’s government on the move, which took effect on Thursday.

“Chinese aircraft could now end up flying across the line when they have to adjust flight paths due to weather conditions,” said Colonel Sun Li-fang, Taiwan’s defence ministry spokesperson. The change increases the burden on Taiwan’s armed forces, which monitor air traffic in order to provide an early warning of any Chinese military air incursions.

The PLA has over the past three years consistently increased the frequency, scale and sophistication of naval and air manoeuvres around Taiwan, including passages through the skies and waters south-west of the island, where Taiwan’s drills this week were focused.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said 22 Chinese military aircraft including fighters and drones flew near the island on Wednesday afternoon, and 11 of them crossed the median line.

The drill covered an area of crucial importance for wartime submarine operations: where the Taiwan Strait’s shallower waters — in which noise allows Chinese attack submarines to hide — meets the deeper South China Sea and the Bashi Channel, through which US submarines can approach from their base in Guam.