Beijing’s Three-Day Display Of Operational Capabilities Risks ‘Delicate Political Balance’

Leading intelligence provider KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) warns that military exercises by China off the coast of Taiwan are increasing tensions in Asia Pacific.

KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb comments: “China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan back under its direct control. The reunification of Taiwan is viewed as necessary for the whole country to reach its full potential.

“But it is not seen as a step which should be rushed and will only occur if Taiwan returns of its own volition. That is the long-term goal of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).”

China says the exercises, which concluded on Monday, tested integrated military capabilities under combat conditions. The operation followed a trip by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen to Los Angeles to meet US House of Representatives Speaker, Kevin McCarthy.

The high-profile US talks also included a bipartisan group of seventeen lawmakers and members from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

The Chinese embassy in Washington expressed firm opposition to the meeting and Beijing promised retaliation.

Japan said it monitored the military exercises with “great interest” and the EU expressed concern at the Chinese response.

Russia stated that China had every right to react to provocation.

Taiwan’s Defence ministry said it had monitored twelve Chinese ships and ninety-one military aircraft, including carrier-based J-15 fighters flown from the Shandong aircraft carrier.

The government in Taipei added it responded calmly to the drills and would not provoke conflict. It said life in Taiwan continued normally with no signs of panic or disruption and civilian flights operated throughout.

Tension was not reflected in Taiwan’s stock market. The benchmark index (.TWII) closed up 0.3% on Monday.

Poole-Robb says: “A delicate balance has existed between those in Taiwan who want independence and those who call for closer alignment with the mainland (and the CCP in Beijing). This balance has helped maintain political peace for more than fifty years.

“It’s incumbent on all parties to consider their actions and not to allow tensions to escalate in this febrile atmosphere.”