“Analysts believe that China began to show greater military activity for a reason.”, — write: www.unian.ua
Analysts believe that China began to show greater military activity for a reason.
China began to conduct large-scale military exercises near Taiwan more often / UNIAN collage, photo – ua.depositphotos.comChina began to more often openly and covertly demonstrate its power right before the inauguration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump. In particular, Beijing is increasing pressure on Washington’s allies and participating in a hybrid war in cyberspace, Business Insider reports.It is noted that over the past few months, China has begun testing alleged new-generation combat aircraft, the Beijing Navy launched new warships, and the Chinese military for the first time simulated a naval blockade of Japan and conducted large-scale exercises near Taiwan.
In addition, the United States accused Chinese hackers of major breaches of the Ministry of Finance and telecommunications companies, the publication added. Washington also suspects that the PRC may be involved in damaging critical underwater infrastructure.
Some such actions could be part of Beijing’s long-term strategy to curb foreign support for Taiwan, Matthew Funaiole, a senior fellow at the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told reporters.
The publication recalled that in December, according to Taiwan, China deployed about 90 ships of the Navy and Coast Guard around the country and the southern Japanese islands. It is interesting that Beijing did not announce such exercises in advance.
In addition, Taiwan recorded more than 60 incursions into its air defense identification zone. Taipei spoke of Chinese forces simulating attacks on foreign vessels and disrupting the navigation of others, the publication emphasized.
The drills are China’s largest since the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis. They took place after the visit of Taiwan President Lai Tsingta to several Pacific partners, the publication noted.
Gisele Donnelly, a senior fellow on defense and national security policy at the American Enterprise Institute, is convinced that the timing of these exercises is “more than coincidental.” According to her, it is more likely that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has recently been trying to exert as much pressure as possible on Ukraine before Trump takes office.
Donnelly explained that the Chinese leadership most likely conducted large-scale military exercises in order to get an early idea of the approach of the administration of the incoming US president to the US-China policy.
In December, China also conducted military exercises in the Miyako Strait that resembled a naval blockade. Shortly before the end of 2024, Beijing announced that the Chinese Air Force and Navy are conducting alert patrols around the Scarborough Shoal, the publication added.
In addition to exercises, China is increasing the production of weapons. For example, in November at the air show in Zhuhai, the latest aircraft were presented, including the J-35A stealth fighter. As early as the next month, prototypes of next-generation aircraft were spotted. The Pentagon said that Beijing was developing new medium- and long-range stealth bombers for striking regional and global targets, the publication recalled.
In addition, China launched the CNS Sichuan warship, which is China’s first type 076 warship. It is also the world’s largest amphibious assault ship.
Over the past two months, China has demonstrated its capabilities and taken actions that pose potential challenges to the United States, its allies and partners. These problems will be faced by the future Trump administration, the publication believes.
China and the USA are important newsEarlier, UNIAN reported that the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, does not plan to attend the inauguration of the newly elected US President, Donald Trump. According to the Financial Times, a high-ranking official will be present at the ceremony instead.
In addition, China has imposed sanctions against 28 American companies. The restrictions were introduced allegedly for the supply and sale of weapons to Taiwan.
You may also be interested in news:
- The largest ports of China have joined the sanctions against the “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation, – Reuters
- Unlike anything else: another “sixth generation fighter” was seen in a new photo in China
- Musk secretly met with the leaders of China and the Russian Federation: the ex-congressman declared a global threat