Taipei/Beijing – China's military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan has reached its highest point in recent years, with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducting massive air and naval exercises around the island. Beijing, which considers Taiwan a rebel province in need of reunification, has not ruled out the use of force and has intensified its "anaconda strategy" to intimidate and encircle Taipei.
China's Latest Show of Force
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, dozens of warplanes, including fighters and bombers, and numerous Chinese naval vessels (including the latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, engaged in advanced tests) have been detected in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent areas in recent weeks. These maneuvers, which Taiwan calls "war games," are seen by Beijing as a warning, particularly given domestic political developments in Taiwan and signs of renewed support from the United States.
The escalation follows the recent Taiwanese presidential election, which confirmed the Democratic Party (DPP) in power, a party that favors maintaining the status quo and is critical of Beijing. The new internal political structure in Taiwan, where the president finds himself having to manage a hostile parliament, has exacerbated divisions, which China is also attempting to exploit through the spread of massive disinformation and fake news campaigns in Taiwan's digital sphere.
Washington's Position and Trump's Shadow
Complicating the already precarious balance is the uncertainty surrounding US policy. Although the Pentagon has raised the alarm about a possible "imminent military attack" by China and continues to meet secretly with Taipei's defense officials, US President Donald Trump is increasingly ambivalent.
The crucial issue for Washington is its traditional "One China" policy, which recognizes Beijing as the sole legitimate Chinese government while pledging to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. However, rumors have emerged of a possible "super deal" between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in which Washington could further soften its support for Taiwan to achieve progress on other issues, such as the economy or the TikTok issue. This uncertainty is raising concerns in Taipei about the risk of losing the unconditional support of the United States, the only real bulwark against invasion.
International Concerns and Typhoons
The international community, particularly Indo-Pacific countries like Japan, is following Chinese maneuvers with extreme concern, which aim to intimidate the Taiwanese and demonstrate Beijing's growing military power. Many countries fear that a conflict across the Strait, vital to world trade and the microchip supply chain (of which Taiwan is a global leader), could trigger a global crisis.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, the island was recently hit by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which caused casualties and a serious humanitarian emergency, forcing authorities to manage a dual crisis: national security and natural disasters.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved