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Tensions in the Asia-Pacific region are gaining momentum and this is dictated by the active policy of all states in the region.
From May 6 to 8, China conducted military drills east and southwest of Taiwan. The PLA air, naval and ground forces took part in the exercise. The PRC soldiers used fighters, destroyers, frigates and bombers in the exercise. The main objective was to improve the combat readiness of the troops.
The exercise took place in light of the visits of six U.S. congressmen to Taiwan in April of this year. China perceived these visits as a “deliberate provocation”. China’s Foreign Ministry has long stated that such visits contribute to increased instability in the Taiwan Strait.
In turn, on May 17, Taiwan began its annual exercise. These exercises were aimed at defending against a possible attack from the Chinese side. This exercise was only the first phase, and it lasted five days. The program included cartographic exercises, as well as a series of military drills. This decision was made due to the fact that during the exercises of the PRC Chinese aircraft carrier “Liaoning” led a fairly large strike group of Chinese ships. A spokesman for the Taiwan’s defense ministry said, “All assigned military personnel from different military districts must report to their command centers for mapping exercises.” Taiwan’s air force and navy were involved. The second part of the exercise, which includes a live-fire exercise based on simulation analysis, will be conducted on July 25, also over five days.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau fears that Beijing could take advantage of the Ukraine crisis to increase its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
On May 21, China invited Kiribati to sign a similar act as it had done with the Solomon Islands. Kiribati again recognized China’s ownership of Taiwan. The U.S. State Department did not rule out that China would negotiate with Tonga and Vanuatu to sign a security agreement. Thus, China wants to establish a number of military bases in the Pacific region.
On May 22, two Chinese PLA ships of the Chinese Navy, Xuzhou and Handan, sailed into the Sea of Japan through the Tsushima Straits. The exercise may have been conducted jointly with the Russian Navy. On May 19, Russian and Chinese ships conducted joint exercises southeast of Okinawa.
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On May 23, military exercises were held in China’s Fujian Province in southern China. The 73rd PLA Airborne Brigade practiced landing operations on the seashore.
Meanwhile, the PRC is actively building military infrastructure on one of the man-made islands in the area of Subi Reef in the Spratly archipelago. This territory is contested by six states: Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.
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On May 24, Biden announced the US readiness, if necessary, to enter into a military conflict with China to protect Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry protested to the US. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a briefing, “China expresses its acute dissatisfaction and strong protest in connection with the statement of the U.S. side. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory.”
However, the U.S. Foreign Ministry continues to say that it supports the one-China principle. The U.S. reiterates that it is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, three joint communiqués, and six credentials.
Tensions in the Asia-Pacific region are rising, as evidenced by military exercises by China and Taiwan, China’s construction of military infrastructure in the South China Sea and attempts to sign security agreements with small island states. The PRC is preparing for changes in the region, as Japan’s new prime minister has actively begun to promote American interests. That is why China is trying to secure itself and not allow its plans to be implemented by the Japanese-American side.
