China deploys record 125 warplanes in large-scale military drill in warning to Taiwan

China recently conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan and its outlying islands, deploying a record 125 aircraft, along with the Liaoning aircraft carrier and multiple naval vessels. According to officials, the exercises on Monday simulated a blockade of key ports, highlighting tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China has made it clear that this action is to punish Taiwan's leaders for refusing to accept Beijing's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.

These exercises occurred four days after Taiwan celebrated its "Double Ten Day," during which Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te, stated in a speech that China has no right to represent Taiwan and declared his commitment to "resisting annexation or aggression." The Taiwan Affairs Office of China stated in a declaration, "This is a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te's continuous fabrication of 'Taiwan independence' fallacies." Taiwan's defense department stated that 90 aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, appeared within Taiwan's "air defense identification zone." This single-day record counted aircraft activity from 5:02 am to 4:30 pm (2:02 am to 1:30 pm Australian Eastern Time). The department also indicated that shipping traffic was operating normally.

Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council, stated at a forum in Taipei, "Our military will definitely handle the threats from China properly." He also pointed out, "Threatening other countries with force violates the fundamental spirit of the UN Charter, which is to resolve disputes through peaceful means." The Taiwan leader's office called on China to "stop military provocations that undermine regional peace and stability and stop threatening Taiwan's democracy and freedom." Maps broadcast by China Central Television showed six large blocks encircling Taiwan, marking the locations of the military exercises and drawing circles around Taiwan's outlying islands. Taiwan's defense department stated that these six areas focused on key strategic locations around and on the island.

China deployed the Liaoning aircraft carrier in these exercises, and CCTV footage showed a J-15 fighter jet taking off from the carrier's deck. Senior Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, stated on Monday evening that the exercises had been successfully completed. He indicated that the navy, army air force, and missile forces all participated in the exercises, which were a comprehensive operation. "This is a significant warning to those who support 'Taiwan independence' elements and a symbol of our determination to defend national sovereignty," Li Xi said in a statement on the PLA's public media channel. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference that China does not consider its relationship with Taiwan to be a diplomatic issue, consistent with its position of not recognizing Taiwan as an independent sovereign entity. "I can tell everyone that 'Taiwan independence' is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait. The provocations of 'Taiwan independence' forces will inevitably be met with countermeasures," Mao said.

Taiwan's defense department stated that they have deployed naval vessels in designated sea areas for surveillance and standby. They have also deployed mobile missile and radar units on land to track ships at sea. They stated that as of Monday morning, they had tracked 25 Chinese warplanes, 7 naval vessels, and 4 Chinese government ships, but did not specify the types of these vessels. On the streets of Taipei, residents did not seem concerned. "I am not worried, and I am not panicking; it has no impact on me," said Chang Chia-jui. Another Taipei resident, Mr. Huang, said, "Taiwan is very stable now, and I am used to China's military exercises." He also said, "I have been threatened like this since I was a child, and I am used to it." U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a declaration that the United States considers China's response to Lai Ching-te's speech to be unnecessary and called on Beijing to "act with restraint and refrain from taking any further actions that could undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region."

China also held similar military exercises after Lai Ching-te took office in May. Lai Ching-te continued the eight-year rule of the Democratic Progressive Party, which refuses to accept China's demand that it recognize Taiwan as part of China. In 2022, after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China also conducted large-scale military exercises and simulated blockades around Taiwan. China frequently states that "Taiwan independence" is a "dead end" and that Beijing's annexation is a historical inevitability. In the past few years, the Chinese military has intensified its encirclement of Taiwan's airspace and waters, conducting joint exercises with its warships and fighter jets near the island almost daily. Additionally, the Taiwan Affairs Office of China announced on Monday that it would impose sanctions on two Taiwanese individuals, Shen Bo-yang and Tsao Hsing-cheng, for promoting "Taiwan independence." Shen Bo-yang is the co-founder of the Black Bear Academy, a non-profit organization that trains civilians for wartime preparedness. Tsao Hsing-cheng donated $32.8 million (AUD 48.8 million) to fund the academy's training courses. Shen Bo-yang and Tsao Hsing-cheng are prohibited from traveling to China, including Hong Kong.

Taiwan was a Japanese colony before the end of World War II. In 1949, Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang was defeated by Mao Zedong's Communist Party in the civil war and fled to the island, leading to the separation of Taiwan from mainland China.