On Thursday, a senior US military official stationed in the Indo-Pacific region stated that in 2023, the Chinese military conducted key actions to invade Taiwan during a military exercise in the Taiwan Strait. However, the actual commencement of an attack by China is not imminent and not inevitable.
According to Reuters, Vice Admiral Stephen Sklenka of the US Indo-Pacific Command spoke in Canberra on Thursday, mentioning that during the exercise, the Chinese military simulated maritime and aerial blockades, amphibious assaults, and anti-interference operations against Taiwan.
At the time Sklenka made these remarks, the Chinese military began a two-day exercise around Taiwan, reportedly in response to the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. Taiwan’s military also mobilized forces on Thursday, expressing confidence in protecting Taiwan.
The Taiwan Presidential Office expressed regret over China’s “unilateral military provocations” threatening Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, regional peace, and stability, but assured that Taiwan can ensure its own security and people can rest assured.
Regarding the sensitivity of the situation, a Taiwanese senior official, who chose to remain anonymous, told Reuters that these exercises were anticipated in Taiwan, with the Taiwanese government having “comprehensive control” over Chinese military movements.
China’s latest military exercise took place three days after Lai Ching-te assumed office as the new President of Taiwan, with Beijing considering Lai a “separatist.” While China has never governed Taiwan, it claims sovereignty over democratic Taiwan; however, the Taiwanese government maintains that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
Regarding China’s recent exercise, Sklenka stated that China’s military actions against Taiwan have been part of a continuous pressure campaign since 2022. He added that the once rare intrusion into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone has now become commonplace.
“The normalization of abnormal behavior is what is happening right now. We anticipate this behavior not meaning that we shouldn’t condemn it. We need to denounce it publicly, not just the United States, but other countries in the region as well,” he said.
However, Sklenka mentioned that while the command from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to prepare for a 2027 invasion of Taiwan should not be taken lightly, the actual launch of an attack by China is not inevitable or imminent.
Speaking at the Australian National Press Club, Sklenka emphasized that the destructive consequences of conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region need no further emphasis. “This will affect countless lives, tens of billions of dollars in global economic losses, and maintaining the relatively peaceful and stable international order of the past 80 years… that’s why we need to work together to prevent conflict,” he said.
Prior to Lai Ching-te’s inauguration, China had escalated military pressure on Taiwan in April and May. Chinese fighter jets and ships frequently harassed Taiwan in the vicinity.
Beyond Taiwan, weeks ago, China had a confrontation with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, sparking a diplomatic dispute, with Japan and the United States subsequently pledging to deepen security ties with the Philippines.
Sklenka noted that China has repeatedly used ships to harass and intimidate neighboring countries in pursuit of “excessive, unlawful, and revisionist” maritime claims.
Recently, a Chinese military jet fired flares near an Australian navy helicopter conducting operations in international waters near South Korea. The Australian government has formally raised concerns with Beijing about this incident.
Sklenka mentioned that since 2021, the US military has recorded approximately 300 such interceptions.