In the midst of escalating tensions, Taiwan reported the detection of 30 Chinese military aircraft encircling the island within a span of 24 hours. This comes as part of China’s persistent assertion of Taiwan as its territory, with Taiwan’s defense ministry revealing that 20 of these aircraft breached the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Responding to these activities, Taiwan’s armed forces deployed patrol aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation.
These incidents mark a continuation of heightened military maneuvers, with last month recording the highest daily count of Chinese warplanes circling Taiwan this year. Experts classify these actions as “grey zone” activities, falling short of direct acts of war. The frequency of such actions has notably increased since President Tsai Ing-wen’s election in 2016, who maintains Taiwan’s position as “already independent,” a stance strongly opposed by Beijing.
Moreover, the recent presidential election further strained relations, with Vice President Lai Ching-te, perceived unfavorably by Beijing, emerging victorious. The issue of Taiwan featured prominently in discussions between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, underscoring the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Despite the diplomatic complexities, the United States remains a significant partner for Taiwan, providing military support and diplomatic recognition. China, on the other hand, intensifies efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan, refraining from establishing relations with countries recognizing Taiwan.
Amidst these geopolitical tensions, Taiwan also faces natural disasters, such as the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake that caused buildings to collapse in Hualien, the city nearest to the epicenter. This earthquake, the strongest in 25 years, triggered landslides in Taiwan’s mountainous interior and sent tremors felt as far as the capital, Taipei, where buildings shook violently.
