On August 19, 2023, a Chinese military helicopter was spotted flying over Pingtan Island, which stands as the closest point to Taiwan. This event, captured by AFP on April 7, 2023, raised tensions in the region. The focus of the story, William Lai, a prominent contender in Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election, returned from a visit to Paraguay, which included stops in New York and San Francisco.
China responded strongly to these US stops, reiterating on Saturday its perception of Lai as a “troublemaker” and pledging to take “resolute measures” to protect national sovereignty. The People’s Liberation Army proceeded to conduct joint air and sea patrols as well as military exercises involving the navy and air force around Taiwan. These actions were aimed at testing the PLA’s ability to secure air and sea spaces and sending a stern message against any movement toward “Taiwan independence.”
Reports from Taiwan revealed that 42 Chinese warplanes entered the island’s air defense zone since early morning, accompanied by eight Chinese vessels participating in the exercises. A significant number of warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. These drills were conducted in the waters and airspace north and southwest of Taiwan Island, simulating real combat conditions and demonstrating China’s readiness to handle any situation.
Taiwan condemned these actions as irrational and provocative, pledging to respond with appropriate measures. The country’s Ministry of National Defense criticized the exercises for undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while emphasizing China’s militaristic approach. China’s claim over Taiwan as part of its territory and its willingness to use force if necessary remained a persistent concern.
China had previously launched major military exercises in response to visits by prominent international figures to Taiwan, as well as President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit through the United States. Despite the tensions, experts suggested that the scale of these exercises might be moderate this time, aimed at pressuring Taiwan rather than significantly aiding William Lai’s position.
Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, accused China of interfering with their upcoming presidential elections scheduled for January. Wu maintained that the decision ultimately rested with Taiwanese citizens, rejecting any external influence.
The United States urged for calm over Lai’s routine travel, and Lai’s stops in New York and San Francisco were part of his journey to Paraguay. The visit was seen as significant since Paraguay was one of the few remaining nations diplomatically recognizing Taipei.
However, China’s Communist Party’s Taiwan Work Office criticized Lai’s trip as a new provocative move by Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to collude with the United States. Amid these tensions, Lai reiterated his commitment to resisting annexation and upholding the core principles of Tsai’s administration.
Lai’s stronger stance on independence set him apart from Tsai, who already faced hostility from Beijing due to her rejection of Taiwan’s integration into China. In an international summit, leaders from the United States, Japan, and South Korea expressed their opposition to China’s assertive behavior in the Asia Pacific region, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as a key element of global security and prosperity.
