Chinese military practiced Taiwan invasion maneuvers in 2023, says…
SYDNEY, May 23 (Reuters) – Chinese military drills in the straits of Taiwan in 2023 practiced maneuvers key to an invasion of the island, although an actual attack was not imminent or inevitable, a senior US general in the region said on Thursday.
In the exercises, the People’s Liberation Army simulated a maritime and air blockade of Taiwan, amphibious assaults, and counter-intervention operations, said Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, in a speech in Canberra.
Sklenka’s comments come as Taiwan’s military mobilized its forces on Thursday after China started two days of punishment drills around Taiwan in response to separatist acts.
President Xi Jinping’s order for China’s military to be prepared for the invasion of Taiwan by 2027 is a serious concern, but an actual attack is not inevitable or imminent, he emphasized.
I cannot underscore enough how devastating conflict in the Indo-Pacific region would be, Sklenka stated in the speech. At stake would be untold numbers of lives, trillions of dollars in global economic damage, and the maintenance of an international order that has delivered relative peace and stability over the past 80 years.
China’s military exercises follow a pattern of escalating tensions in the region, with increased pressure on Taiwan and assertive actions in the South China Sea. These developments have raised concerns among neighboring countries and drawn responses from the United States and Japan to deepen security ties with affected nations.
Sklenka also highlighted China’s use of strong-arm tactics to assert its maritime claims, describing it as an equal opportunity bully towards its neighbors ringing the sea. These actions have led to diplomatic conflicts and heightened military posturing in the region.
With ongoing military activities and geopolitical tensions, the situation in the Indo-Pacific remains delicate, requiring concerted efforts to prevent potential conflicts.
As global powers navigate these challenges, the need for collaboration and diplomatic resolutions is paramount to ensure peace and stability in the region. The developments in the Taiwan Strait serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of proactive measures to safeguard international security.
The world watches closely as geopolitical tensions unfold, hoping for peaceful resolutions and diplomatic engagements to address the pressing issues in the region.
