Tue Dec 10 06:01:12 UTC 2024: ## Largest Chinese Naval Deployment in Decades Threatens Taiwan

**Taipei, Taiwan –** Taiwan’s defense ministry announced Tuesday the deployment of the largest Chinese naval fleet in the region in nearly three decades, escalating tensions with the island nation. The ministry spokesperson, Sun Li-fang, stated that the scale surpasses previous Chinese military exercises, including those preceding the 1996 Taiwanese presidential elections. The deployment spans from southern Japan to the South China Sea.

While China’s military has yet to comment on the deployment, the move is widely seen as a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent Pacific tour, which included stops in Hawaii and Guam. Taiwan raised its alert level Monday following the reported reservation of airspace and deployment of naval and coast guard vessels by China.

According to a senior ministry intelligence officer, Hsieh Jih-sheng, while no live-fire drills have been observed in the seven designated airspace zones, activity north of Taiwan has significantly increased. A Taiwan security source told Reuters that approximately 90 Chinese navy and coast guard ships remain in the region, a number deemed “very alarming.” Hsieh added that the deployment aims to establish “area denial” in the First Island Chain, preventing foreign interference. The ministry described China’s naval strategy as creating “two walls” in the Pacific, effectively aiming to turn the Taiwan Strait into an “internal sea.”

Tuesday’s statement detailed the detection of 47 Chinese military aircraft, 12 navy vessels, and 9 official ships operating around Taiwan in the past 24 hours. A senior Taiwanese security source revealed that these exercises included simulated attacks on foreign naval vessels and practices to repel military and civilian aircraft, suggesting a blockade scenario.

Despite China’s actions, Taiwan’s government maintains its rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future. China, however, considers the Taiwan issue a core interest and a red line for the United States. This marks the second major round of war games China has conducted around Taiwan this year. The situation remains highly volatile.

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