TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is monitoring the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning as Beijing appears poised for a new round of wargames in response to President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) overseas trip.
Sources cited by Reuters on Tuesday (Dec. 3) said China is planning a third round of military exercises around Taiwan to coincide with Lai's tour of South Pacific allies. Three anonymous sources said the likelihood of People's Liberation Army drills is high.
One source said activity around the Taiwan Strait is significantly busier than usual. On Monday, three Russian frigates and one supply vessel approached within 24 nautical miles (about 44 kilometers) southeast of Taiwan's coast, conducting “joint simulated attacks on ‘foreign vessels and aircraft’” in coordination with a nearby Chinese destroyer.
On Tuesday, this Russian force entered the East China Sea and is expected to continue joint training with the PLA as it moves northward. Simultaneously, Beijing has dispatched nearly 40 Chinese vessels around the Taiwan Strait, including an aircraft carrier strike group headed by the Liaoning in the East China Sea and naval and coast guard ships maneuvering in the South China Sea.
A source suggested these deployments might be preparation for military drills following Lai's return. Another anonymous source said that while winter drills are uncommon, this could be part of China's efforts to train for a potential operation against Taiwan during any season.
The PLA has previously focused on improving its night combat capabilities and is now looking to sharpen its skills for harsh weather conditions, the source added.
During a Tuesday press briefing, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Sun Li-fang (孫立方) said it “takes a serious view of the enemy situation and handles this matter very seriously.” Sun added, “We have very solid preparations and are not afraid of any threats.”
When asked whether China would conduct drills after Lai's return to Taiwan, Sun did not provide a direct answer but said the military is monitoring the situation. Sun also said numerous indicators can be used to respond.
Reuters on Nov. 27 cited a Taiwan security official, saying that China will use Lai's tour of South Pacific allies as a pretext to launch the Joint Sword-2024C drills. On Sunday, the Facebook page Taiwan ADIZ observed that a Chinese electronic reconnaissance ship and dock landing ship passed through waters off northeast Taiwan and headed south, possibly to take part in the Joint Sword-2024C exercises.
