China Taiwan News: China has considered Taiwan to be its territory. It never gave it the status of an independent country. Now China has made up its mind to take full control of Taiwan. It has prepared a new strategy, under which even America cannot help Taiwan.
New Delhi. China has never hidden its desire to take over Taiwan. With this purpose, recently, the Chinese army exercised so that the US army could not help Taiwan. According to the analysis of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, the purpose of the Chinese exercise in December 2024 was to prevent the US military from entering the sea around the island.
In the war exercise, China deployed 18 destroyers and frigates to the east of the "First Island Chain", which extends from Japan's Nansei Islands to the Philippines, to prevent US warships from entering. The exercise was conducted between 6-12 December. China used anti-access/area denial (A2AD) tactics to prevent US forces from advancing from the First Island Chain, which lies to the west of the Second Chain, and the "Second Island Chain" which stretches from the Guam to Japan's Izu Islands.
According to the Eurasian Times, this was China's largest military exercise in nearly three decades. Apart from showing its power to blockade Taiwan, China also demonstrated its strength in the 'First Island Chain' stretching from Japan to Indonesia, including the South and East China Seas. In a significant development, the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Theater Commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) coordinated for the first time, putting pressure on Taiwan and its allies through extensive combined arms exercises.
China deployed more than 60 PLA Navy warships and 30 China Coast Guard ships in regions spanning from the South China Sea to Japan's Ryukyu Islands, in addition to more than 134 PLA airplanes flying close to the islands during the three-day exercise. Without receiving live-fire instruction, Chinese soldiers rehearsed attacking foreign ships, closing maritime routes, and intercepting commercial ships. Additionally, the PLA Navy constructed two barriers to restrict access to the First Island Chain southeast of Taiwan.
Why does China want control over Taiwan?
Taiwan's geographic location makes it vulnerable to a blockade. Its population, industry, and ports are concentrated on its western shore, which is closest to China. China could enforce a blockade by deploying ships and submarines to prevent ships from entering or exiting Taiwanese ports. It could also control the skies with missiles and fighter jets.
Why is the First Island Chain special for America and China
The First Island Chain is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean that extends from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the Malay Peninsula. It includes the Japanese archipelago, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. The First Island Chain is an important part of the US defense strategy in the Asia-Pacific. It forms a defense line against China. On the other hand, China sees the 'First Island Chain' as a strategic control line. China wants to break this chain to gain access to the Pacific Ocean.
