Taiwan’s Defence Minister warns the island needs to prepare for potential Chinese military incursions into close-by territorial areas

Chinese military activity around Taiwan is not uncommon, with regular reports of Chinese planes and ships passing close to the island.

But Taipei is yet to report any incidents of the Chinese military entering the contiguous zone which is an area just over 44 kilometres off the coast.

Taiwan’s Defence Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, is now warning that this could happen, possibly in 2023, as tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to rise.

Last year, Beijing ordered for an increased number of military drills to take place around Taiwan, after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei.

China is also angered by Taiwan’s close relationship with the United States.

Washington has repeatedly warned about their growing concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan in the coming years, with Beijing aims to reassert authority over the self-ruled island.

China has also just announced that it will increase spending on its military by over seven per cent this year, as it responds to what Beijing describes as “escalating” attempts to “suppress and contain China”.

All of this comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relationships between Beijing and Washington, particularly following the spy balloon saga early this year.

The U.S. is also looking to increase its military presence across the Asia Pacific region as it tries to counter the growing strength of China and prepare itself for any potential conflict between Beijing and Taipei.