Chinese military ships sail as part of a military exercise, released by China's Eastern Theater Command on Weibo on May 24. (©Kyodo)
The Chinese military has been conducting large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Its strong-armed conduct began immediately after Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan's new president on May 20. Warships and warplanes from China were deployed around the main island of Taiwan. They were also sent to intimidate Taiwan's Kinmen and Matsu islands, which are close to the Chinese mainland.
A spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) issued a press statement stating that the drills were intended to serve as "strong punishment" for separatist "Taiwan independence" forces. He added a stern warning against interference and provocation by "external forces."
Taiwan's Steady Advocacy of 'Status Quo'
However, the fact is that the Lai administration has advocated maintaining the status quo regarding relations with China. It has repeatedly called for dialogue with the mainland. China's attempts to militarily intimidate the people of Taiwan therefore cannot be tolerated.
A high American official was absolutely correct when he criticized China in the following terms: "A normal transition of power should not be used as a pretext for provocative or coercive measures."
The PLA units in the military exercise included the Chinese army, navy, air force elements, and the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), which controls nuclear-capable missiles. Furthermore, the China Coast Guard, under the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, was also deployed. It appears that preparations were timed to demonstrate the CCP's ability to blockade Taiwan, coinciding with President Lai's inauguration.
China the Neighborhood Bully
China has repeatedly sought to bully Taiwan by staging such military exercises. It did so when then-United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. Similar Chinese behavior was noted when then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited the US in April 2023.
During the 2022 exercise, the PLA fired ballistic missiles into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In this respect, how can one say China's conduct has differed from North Korea's provocations?
To safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it is clear that there is a growing need for Japan to work with like-minded nations to increase deterrence. Those include the US and Australia.
Then there is China's ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao. He caused another ruckus when he threatened, "The Japanese people will be dragged into the fire" with Taiwan.
Wu should retract his words and apologize. Nonetheless, a spokesperson with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the statement as "based on facts, completely legitimate and necessary."
Just Like North Korea
It is abnormal for the Chinese government to call a threat that the PLA would attack and kill Japanese citizens "completely legitimate." Isn't this too exactly the way North Korea acts?
On May 27, the leaders of Japan, China, and South Korea met in Seoul. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met one-on-one and called for promoting "strategic and mutually beneficial ties." However, we cannot expect the Chinese side to respond with sincerity.
During the trilateral summit, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the importance of maintaining "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." But he should have clearly condemned the PLA military exercises that have disturbed that "peace and stability" as well as Ambassador Wu's abusive language.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
