Following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, China has revealed plans for unprecedented military exercises near the island and this has raised fears of a military confrontation
But how worrying are these developments?
China’s military says it’s partaking in air and sea drills, including launching test missiles near Taiwan.
But an indication of the escalating tensions is that most of these drills will take place in areas Taiwan claims as its own territory.
And they’ve already said that so far 27 Chinese warplanes have breached their airspace.
These drills show Beijing’s readiness to perform under conditions that imitate actual warfare. In other words they exemplify the force China would use to take control of Taiwan.
But as the Guardian newspaper reports
‘Experts agree that neither the US nor China have the appetite for the tension to escalate to war’.
China says Taiwan is a breakaway province.
But Taiwan says it has never been part of China and is a sovereign nation
The Island is in favor of the status quo and is not pursuing conflict.
The US is treading carefully when it comes its language on Taiwan’s independence.
However their leaders have stated they will defend themselves if they need to.
And China is cautious not to look weak as unification with Taiwan is high on the agenda for the Chinese Communist Party.
But in the end, war is in no one’s interest.
