Just one day after Taiwan’s leader Lai Qingde delivered a speech, the People's Liberation Army conducted live-fire drills in at least five maritime zones. On October 10, following Lai’s address, Taiwan’s defense department head Ku Li-hsiung told reporters that starting October 12, Chinese military forces would conduct live training, live-fire exercises, and other military activities in at least five areas including the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea, with these waters designated as restricted zones for passage.
The Taiwan military has condemned China’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific region as contributing to regional instability, asserting that current assessments indicate these drills are confined to coastal areas and constitute a “threat” aimed at destabilizing the region. Under the principle of “erring on the side of caution,” Taiwan will continue to closely monitor developments. Clearly, given the timing of these exercises immediately following Lai’s remarks, the DPP authorities interpret them as specifically targeting Taiwan, further accusing Beijing of undermining stability across the Indo-Pacific.
Is there any connection between the recent drills and Lai’s speech? There may be some correlation, but the DPP appears to be exaggerating the situation. In fact, China’s maritime authorities had already issued multiple navigation warnings beginning October 8, announcing scheduled exercises in specific regions—operations that were planned in advance and conducted through transparent procedures. Under such circumstances, how can claims of creating regional instability be substantiated?
That said, conducting military exercises within one’s own territorial waters is a legitimate right. What is perplexing is that when countries such as the United States, Japan, and Australia carry out similar military exercises in the region, the DPP remains silent. These exercises take place far from U.S. and Australian home territories—so who, exactly, is provoking tensions? Moreover, Japan, a former defeated power in World War II, is now publicly demonstrating military capability. What is the intent behind this? It is evident that the DPP is pursuing a strategy of relying on external powers to pursue independence. Yet China’s demonstration of strength sends a clear message: defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity is both within its rights and unwavering in resolve.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878890625060235/
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