Description: Beijing’s Easter Theater Command has announced the dispatch of air force and naval military assets near the eastern, southern and northern parts of Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry deemed the drills legitimate as China was apparently testing battle readiness and reasserting its regional presence. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense heavily criticized China for instigating further tensions in the region and threatening peace and prosperity. The live drills followed after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth left Asia where he visited Japan and criticized China for escalating tensions in the region. More than 71 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships were involved in the exercise which came dangerously close to Taiwan’s contiguous zone of 44km.
Impact: Tensions between the US and China continue to escalate as military posturing in the Indo – Pacific and the conduction of live drills significantly multiplied in the past couple of months. China has intensified live military drills and direct threats towards regional adversaries such as Taiwan and ensured their dominance in the South China Sea and larger areas of the Indo – Pacific theater. The US’ security and geopolitical reprioritization towards the Indo – Pacific unilaterally fueled further dangerous encounters in the region as Taiwan finds itself in a precarious position as it considerably depends on continued US support for its security. Tensions will continue to escalate as US – China trade talks are largely expected to commence in order for the current geopolitical state to be defused to acceptable levels.