On March 15, Taiwan reported the resumption of Chinese air force activity around the island after a more than two-week hiatus, sparking debate in Taipei about Beijing’s motives. Reuters.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said in a daily report that 26 Chinese military aircraft had been spotted in the Taiwan Strait over the past 24 hours. The last time such activity was observed was on February 25, when China conducted another “patrol” with thirty aircraft.
From February 27 to March 7, Taiwan did not report the presence of Chinese aircraft, and after that, cases were isolated. China did not provide an explanation for the interruption, but on March 14, its Taiwan Affairs Office sharply criticized the island’s President William Lai for a speech in which he spoke about the need to increase defense spending and protect democracy.
“People like Lai should not be miscalculated; if they dare to take reckless risks, they will create a trap for themselves,” said a Chinese official.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo stressed that although China’s air activity has decreased, Chinese warships around the island remain and the threat from Beijing has not disappeared.
According to Taiwanese officials and experts, the reasons for the temporary decrease in Chinese air force activity may include a review of the pressure strategy ahead of a planned visit by US President Donald Trump or internal purges among high-ranking Chinese generals being carried out by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
