China's Military Drills Around Taiwan: Increasing Pressure and Japan's Response

In recent years, China's military activities around Taiwan have become increasingly active, raising concerns within the international community. Large-scale military exercises, particularly those involving the aircraft carrier Liaoning, clearly demonstrate China's intention to achieve unification with Taiwan by force, causing tension among neighboring countries, including Japan.

China's Military Exercises: Show of Force and Combat Capability Enhancement

China has repeatedly conducted its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan. The objectives are believed to be increasing pressure on Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen administration, deterring the United States, and improving combat capabilities.

Strengthening Pressure on Taiwan

Through military exercises, China is demonstrating its intention to unify Taiwan by force and pressuring the Tsai Ing-wen administration, which China views as "pro-independence." A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense explicitly stated that "military actions will advance with every provocation from the 'Taiwan independence forces'," clearly indicating their intention to maintain military pressure.

Deterrence of the United States

China's military exercises also serve to deter the United States, which is strengthening its arms sales to Taiwan and its security involvement. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Liaoning to the east of Taiwan, in the Pacific Ocean, is analyzed as an attempt to demonstrate China's ability to cut off US support routes to Taiwan.

Improving Combat Capabilities

Through these military exercises, China is improving its combat capabilities by demonstrating its ability to rapidly deploy multiple combined training exercises, including the coordination of aircraft carriers and bombers, and the blockade of major ports. They are also conducting exercises simulating real combat, including commencing operations at night.

Expert Analysis

Masayuki Masuda, Head of the China Studies Division at the National Institute for Defense Studies, Ministry of Defense, analyzes China's military exercises as follows: "The aim is to strengthen pressure on Taiwan's Tsai administration by demonstrating rapid deployment capabilities through multiple training exercises, including coordination between aircraft carriers and bombers, and the blockade of major port cities. Similar exercises are likely to continue and become commonplace in the coming years."

Japan's Response: Surveillance and Information Gathering

The Japanese government is closely monitoring China's military exercises with serious concern and is taking all necessary measures for surveillance and information gathering.

Conveying Concerns

The government has conveyed its concerns about the military exercises to China. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki stated, "The government is closely monitoring related developments with serious concern, and we have conveyed Japan's concerns to the Chinese side."

Response by the Japan Self-Defense Forces

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyers conducted surveillance and information gathering, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's fighter jets were scrambled. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki stressed that "we will continue to monitor developments and make every effort in information gathering and surveillance."

Future Challenges

China's military exercises not only threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait but also potentially impact Japan's security. Japan needs to continue collecting and analyzing information and closely monitoring China's movements. It is also important to maintain regional peace and stability through multifaceted diplomatic efforts, including strengthening the Japan-US alliance and strengthening relations with Taiwan.

A New Perspective: China's Long-Term Strategy

China's military exercises may not be a mere show of force, but rather actions based on a long-term strategy. Through these exercises, China may be aiming to normalize pressure on Taiwan and exert psychological influence to achieve unification without resorting to military force.

"Grey Zone" Activities

China is intensifying activities referred to as "grey zone" activities, which include military exercises and actions by the China Coast Guard, that fall below the threshold of armed conflict. This is a strategy to exploit loopholes in international law, minimizing international criticism while pushing forward its own claims.

Japan's Response

Japan needs to respond firmly to China's "grey zone" activities. It is important to protect Japan's territory, territorial waters, and airspace through all available means, including strengthening the Japan Coast Guard's security posture and enhancing cooperation with the Self-Defense Forces.

Cooperation with the International Community

China's "grey zone" activities are not solely a Japanese problem. It is essential to cooperate with the international community to deepen a shared understanding of China's actions and uphold a rules-based international order.

Conclusion

China's military activities around Taiwan are a serious issue that undermines regional peace and stability. Japan needs to monitor China's actions and prepare for all contingencies. At the same time, it is also important to continue dialogue with China through diplomatic efforts and work towards de-escalation.