China’s military has conducted large-scale drills near Taiwan, warning the island’s “separatist forces” and their Western supporters. The exercises, which simulated a blockade of key ports and precision strikes on maritime targets, came as Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that reunification with Taiwan is “inevitable.” Xi emphasized the “bond of blood and kinship” between Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, stating that reunification is an unstoppable trend.
Taiwan has been governed by the Republic of China since 1949, when Chinese nationalist forces retreated to the island after losing the civil war. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory under the One China policy, which is recognized by most of the international community. The United Nations also considers Taiwan to be part of China.
The Chinese government has consistently preferred peaceful reunification but has not ruled out the use of force if Taiwan’s “separatist forces” and their Western backers pursue formal independence. The recent military drills, which included scenarios to counter external interference, were held just 11 days after the US announced an $11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan. This move has drawn criticism from Beijing, which views US support for Taiwan as a challenge to its sovereignty.
Only a few countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, while most of the international community adheres to the One China policy. Russia, a key ally of China, has reaffirmed its support for Beijing’s position on Taiwan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between Russia and China includes mutual support for defending national unity and territorial integrity. Lavrov also stated that Taiwan is being used as a tool for “military-strategic deterrence” against China, with some Western countries seeking to profit from Taiwanese resources and technologies.
The situation highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue, with China, the US, and other countries having significant stakes in the region. As tensions continue to rise, the international community will be closely watching developments in the Taiwan Strait, with many hoping for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding dispute.
