Taiwan Accuses China of Encroaching on Its Territory and Establishing a Dangerous Precedent

China’s aggressive actions towards Taiwan have raised concerns globally, with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung warning that China is trying to “nibble away” at Taiwan’s space and create a new normal through military drills and other pressure tactics.

Last week, China conducted two days of war games around Taiwan following the inauguration of new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing labels as a “separatist”. Despite the formal end of these drills, Taiwan reported that Chinese warplanes and warships continued military activities with a “joint combat readiness patrol” on Wednesday.

Minister Lin highlighted China’s diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, preventing its participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization meeting. China’s stance that Taiwan is one of its provinces without statehood rights is strongly rejected by Taiwan.

China has also been unilaterally opening new air routes near Taiwan-controlled islands and sending coast guard ships to Taiwan’s east coast, further escalating tensions. The Taiwan Affairs Office in China reiterated its complaints about Lai’s support for Taiwan’s independence and threatened continued military activities.

Despite Taiwan’s willingness to engage in talks with China, stability in the region remains a global concern. The government in Taipei asserts that Taiwan is already an independent country, the Republic of China, established after the civil war in 1949.

As China continues to challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty, the international community closely watches the developments in the region, recognizing the cross-strait issue as a matter of regional and global significance.