China's Military Demonstration in Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone Subsides... One Incursion into Taiwan

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The pressure from China, which had dispatched a large number of military aircraft over Taiwan's airspace in the early days of the National Day holiday to carry out an unprecedented show of force, has entered a lull for the time being. It is interpreted that China has adjusted the intensity of its pressure following strong backlash from the United States after Taiwan.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency on the 6th, one Chinese military Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) the day before but retreated in response to Taiwan's patrol aircraft. Since the start of China's National Day holiday on the 1st, China had sent a total of 149 military aircraft into the ADIZ by the 4th, conducting a large-scale show of force against Taiwan, but this pressure is now considered to have entered a lull. Previously, on the 4th alone, the Chinese military dispatched a total of 52 military aircraft, including the main fighter jet J-16, into the ADIZ, marking the largest scale show of force ever.

The Chinese government has stated that the large-scale show of force was to crush Taiwan's attempts at independence. Hua Chunying (華春瑩), spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement on the 4th, "Plotting Taiwan independence is a road to death, and China will crush any form of Taiwan independence attempt through all measures," emphasizing, "China's determination and will to protect national sovereignty and territory are unwavering."

However, not only the Taiwanese government but also the U.S. government strongly criticized China's show of force and expressed their intention to support Taiwan, which is analyzed as prompting China to adjust the intensity of its pressure. Earlier, Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, said on the 4th (local time), "We urge China to cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan," adding, "We have an unwavering interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and therefore will continue to support Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capabilities."

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen also emphasized in an article published in Foreign Affairs on the same day, "If Taiwan falls to China, it will cause a great disaster," and stated, "If Taiwan's democracy and way of life are threatened, we will do whatever it takes to defend ourselves."