China has stepped up its military activity near Taiwan, raising alarms across the region.
For decades, the Taiwan Strait has been a flashpoint in the geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
This latest escalation is being closely watched as tensions between China and Taiwan reach a boiling point, according to Digi24.
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Largest Naval Deployment in Decades
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has described the current situation as the largest Chinese naval deployment in the region in decades.
Dozens of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels have been spotted in waters near the island. On Tuesday, Taiwan reported 47 Chinese military aircraft operating near its airspace within just 24 hours.
Lieutenant General Hsieh Jih-Sheng noted that the deployment isn’t limited to Taiwan’s surrounding waters.
Chinese forces have also been active in areas beyond the first island chain, which includes Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. This chain is a key defensive line for the United States in maintaining its influence in the Pacific.
A Trigger for Escalation
Military experts believe this buildup could serve as a test for China's ability to block outside intervention. If Beijing were to invade Taiwan, this strategy could delay or prevent external military support, a scenario that poses significant risks for the island’s survival.
Officials in Taiwan are particularly concerned about the deployment’s geographic scope, calling it an alarming shift in Beijing's strategy.
The actions come as China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan, viewing it as part of its territory despite never having governed it.
This military escalation follows recent visits by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te to Guam and Hawaii. China has condemned these visits as provocative, labeling Lai a "separatist."
Beijing’s opposition has also been fueled by recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China has vowed to counter with "strong measures."
