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US Report Warns Of China’s Potential Taiwan Invasion

December 21, 2024, 12:13 am

The US Department of Defence has released its 2024 report, “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” expressing concerns over China’s increasing military preparedness to invade Taiwan. The report accuses Beijing of intensifying pressure tactics and preparing for a contingency plan to “unify Taiwan” through military force, if necessary.

The Pentagon’s findings suggest that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aims to deter any external intervention in Taiwan’s defense.

China’s Tactics and Military Developments

According to the report:

The PLA is undertaking complex preparations for a potential amphibious invasion, which would be one of the most challenging military operations.
In 2023, China transferred 300 land-based fighter jets to its Air Force, focusing on enhancing carrier-based air operations.
Beijing has launched a campaign to pressure the current Lai administration, opposing closer US-Taiwan relations.

Taiwan’s Defensive Measures

In response to growing threats, Taiwan has ramped up its defensive capabilities:

Strengthening war reserve stocks.
Enhancing the noncommissioned officer corps.
Developing asymmetric and joint capabilities to counter potential invasions, as outlined in Taiwan’s 2023 defense report.

Recent PLA Activity Around Taiwan

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported detecting increased Chinese military activity from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. Key observations include:

10 PLA aircraft and 5 naval vessels operating near Taiwan.
4 aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line and entering the southwestern and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

In a statement shared on X, the MND confirmed monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.

Rising Regional Tensions

The escalating military posturing underscores the fragile state of cross-strait relations. With China’s aggressive maneuvers and Taiwan’s proactive defense measures, the region remains on high alert.

Taiwan on Alert: Chinese Military Aircraft, Vessels Detected Nearby

May 26, 2024, 11:00 am

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence detected seven aircraft from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and over 10 vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the vicinity of Taiwan on Sunday. The Ministry’s statement revealed the presence of seven PLA aircraft, 14 PLAN vessels, and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the area up until 6 am.

In response to the situation, Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored and addressed the developments. The Ministry stated in a post on social media platform X that the ROCArmedForces had been actively monitoring and responding to the presence of the Chinese military assets around Taiwan.

The heightened military activity comes after the Ministry detected 62 PLA aircraft and 27 PLAN vessels operating near Taiwan the previous day. Notably, 47 of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) from the southwest, southeast, and eastern regions.

Amidst the escalating tensions, Taiwan’s Ministry emphasized the destabilizing impact of the Chinese Communist Party’s military exercises on regional peace and stability. The provocative maneuvers underscored the ongoing geopolitical complexities in the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan reiterating its commitment to defending its sovereignty and democratic principles.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te recently reaffirmed his dedication to safeguarding Taiwan against external challenges and upholding the values of freedom and democracy. In a speech, he emphasized the imperative of defending these principles and maintaining peace and stability in the region amidst mounting military pressure from China.

Taiwan Spots 49 Chinese Aircraft, 19 Vessels Near Its Territory

May 24, 2024, 10:43 am

For the second time in a row, the island nation’s Ministry of National Defense has recently detected a significant presence of Chinese military aircraft and vessels near its territory.

As per Taiwan’s MND, around 49 Chinese aircraft and 7 Chinese coast guard vessels, were spotted around the island country at local time of 6 am on Friday.

Out of 49, around 35 aircraft crossed the median line of Taiwan Strait and managed to enter Taiwan’s southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

However, in response, the Taiwan armed forces started closely monitoring the situation and has taken concrete to safeguard their country’s security.

Announcing this transgression, MND said,

“49 PLA aircraft (including SU-30, J-16, KJ-500 etc.), 19 PLAN vessels, and 7 CCG vessels operating around #Taiwan were detected up until 6 am today. 35 of the aircraft crossed the median line of #Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s SW ADIZ. ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly…”Tightly monitoring! ROCArmy, ROCNavy, ROCAF and coast guard are taking concrete actions to safeguard #freedom and #democracy!”

49 PLA aircraft, 19 PLAN vessels, and 7 CCG vessels operating around #Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 35 of the aircraft crossed the median line of #Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s SW ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/DxJ90loGRC

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. ?? (@MoNDefense) May 24, 2024

Later, emphasizing on country’s capacity and confidence to ensure its sovereignty and security, MND requested international community to condemn China’s irrational actions.

Taking to X, MND said, “We have the capacity and confidence to ensure our security and defend our sovereignty. At the same time, we call for the international community to condemn PRC’s irrational action.”

Taiwan Accuses Chinese Communist Party of Hegemonic Actions

Additionally, the ministry has also accused Chinese Communist Party’s military exercises of being hegemonic, which potentially undermine regional peace and stability.

But it has also declared that Taiwan’s army still stands ready to defend their country against any aggression no matter what.

The escalating tensions underscore the shift in geopolitics within the Taiwan Strait. Where Taiwan endeavors to defend its sovereignty against external aggression,

While China, in contrast, conducts military exercises to test its “power seizing capacity” and assert control over strategic regions, particularly following the recent inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Chang Te.

Taiwan detects two military aircraft and four Chinese naval ships in the area

December 25, 2023, 1:05 pm

Two military aircraft and four Chinese naval vessels have been monitored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense. Taiwan News reports that the naval vessels and planes were monitored throughout the country from 6 a.m. on Sunday, December 24, to 6 a.m. on Monday, December 25. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and navy ships, as well as air defense missile systems, to monitor the activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to MND. No PLA aircraft arrived at the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

China has intensified its use of grey zone tactics since September 2020 by gradually increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships patrolling around Taiwan, according to Taiwan News.
Notably, the Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force,” according to Taiwan News.
Beijing has sent 222 military planes and 137 navy ships around Taiwan so far this month.

Major restructure sees PLA air force take over naval aircraft

August 16, 2023, 10:22 am

The largest military in the world is the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is subordinate to the Chinese Communist Party. The recent blockade of a Philippine outpost in the South China Sea and the recent transfer of naval aviation assets into the hands of the PLA Air Force both serve as examples of its pursuit of “jointness” between the various armed services.

On 5 August, forces of the PLA Navy (PLAN), China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia combined to prevent Philippine Coast Guard vessels from resupplying a dozen marines aboard BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting vessel that forms a Philippine military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

It was purposefully beached there in 1999 to uphold Manila’s claim to the area in the face of Chinese encroachment, specifically their occupation of the nearby Mischief Reef, which was uninhabited at the time. It is obvious that China has escalated aggression by using water cannons and their larger ship hulls to blockade Philippine vessels in this way, preventing the monthly resupply of military personnel at Second Thomas Shoal within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. even attempted to ram smaller Philippine resupply boats with CCG vessels.

Taiwan tracks 24 Chinese military aircraft, five naval ships around nation

June 13, 2023, 4:29 pm

Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan detected 24 Chinese military aircraft and five navy vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan between 6 am on Sunday, 11 June, and 6 am on Monday, 12 June. Out of the 24 aircraft, 10 entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The specific aircraft included four Shenyang J-11 fighter jets, four Shenyang J-16 combat jets, and two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter planes, as reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

In response to this activity, Taiwan deployed its own aircraft, navy ships, and land-based missiles to monitor the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity, according to Taiwan News.

Beijing has sent 141 military aircraft and 53 naval ships around Taiwan so far this month. According to Taiwan News, China has intensified its use of grey zone tactics since September 2020 by gradually increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships patrolling around Taiwan.Grey zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and substantial use of force.”

Border Tensions: India and China seek solutions for Depsang and Demchok in high-level talks

May 16, 2023, 12:51 pm

In an effort to resolve the remaining “difficult” locations in Ladakh, Depsang and Demchok, discussions between Indian and Chinese military leaders started this morning. According to high-level defence sources, today’s meeting between an Indian major general and his Chinese counterpart will take place at a level somewhat below corps commander level . The topic at hand is Depsang.His negotiations are with a Chinese major general equivalent.

Major General Prasanna Mishra,in-charge of the local 3 Division, is leading the Indian side in the conference, which got underway this morning at Daulat Beg Oldi, or DBO. He serves as a soldier in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.

The Depsang problem was there long before the problems in Galwan happened in 2020. It all started when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army built a roadblock that prevented soldiers from the Indian Army from getting to their patrolling position, which is where they are supposed to go. The Indian Army followed suit and did that.

The 18,000-foot-high DBO is anticipated to host discussions all day long. Negotiations between Major General Mishra and his Chinese counterpart had resulted in the departure from the PP15 region. The Indian side now has some optimism that the meeting will advance in some way.

The Demchok region is dealing with a similar issue. There may be a meeting on Demchok in Chushul if this meeting goes well—nobody is anticipating a speedy resolution—and there is even a hint of some progress.

India holds important leadership positions in both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20. Additionally, between July and September of this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping may make two trips to India.

India, China agree to maintain security, stability along western sector of LAC

April 24, 2023, 10:28 pm

India, China during the 18th round of Corps Commander Level Meeting, agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector of the LAC.

The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. The 18th round of India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on Sunday.

“A frank and in-depth discussion was held between the two sides on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector so as to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas, which will enable progress in bilateral relations,” official release said.

From the Indian side, the meeting was led by Fire and Fury Corps Commander Lt Gen Rashim Bali and an equivalent rank officer from the Chinese side, defence sources told ANI.
The meeting took place after a gap of five months. The last meeting between the two sides at the Corps Commander level was held in December last year.

The meeting came as the two sides are engaged in rapid construction activities along the border areas to strengthen their respective positions. The Indian side has been raising the issue of the Depsang plains, Demchok and disengagement by both sides repeatedly.

The corps commander-level talks started to resolve the matters between the two sides in the eastern Ladakh area after the Chinese side tried to alter the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by aggressively moving forward with heavy weaponry and a large number of troops in 2020 during the initial period of the Covid pandemic.

Bilateral Relations impacted with China due to continued change of LAC Status quo : MEA

March 13, 2023, 1:26 pm

The Continued unilateral attempts by China to change the Line of Actual Control (LAC) status quo have impacted India-China bilateral relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its Annual Report 2021-22 released on Monday.

According to the MEA report, China has since April-May 2020, undertaken several attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC in Western Sector, which seriously disturbed the peace and tranquillity along the LAC. These attempts by China were invariably met with an appropriate response from Indian Armed Forces, the MEA said.
According to the MEA report prepared by the Policy Planning Division of the ministry, India’s engagement with China is complex. The two sides have, however, agreed to manage their differences and not allow differences on any issue to become disputes.

Further, the two sides agreed that pending the final settlement of the boundary question, maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an essential basis for the overall development of the bilateral relationship.
Both sides have agreed to resolve the issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh through peaceful dialogue. Consequently, discussions have continued with the Chinese side to achieve complete disengagement from all friction points and full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China Border Areas at an early date.

According to the MEA, India has maintained its engagement with China both through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest so as to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on September 16, 2021, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the sidelines of the 21st SCO Meeting of the Head of States. The two Ministers exchanged views on the border situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, the MEA said.

The two had also met earlier in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in July 2021. Military and diplomatic officials of the two sides are meeting regularly to continue their discussions on resolving the remaining issues at the earliest. Both sides agreed that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side as it was impacting the relationship in a negative manner.
Meanwhile, US Intelligence Community’s recent Annual Threat Assessment report said that expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between the two nuclear powers.The report said that India-China relations will remain strained in wake of the countries’ lethal clash in 2020, the most serious in decades.

Lt Gen Kalita breaks silence on India-China Tawang clash

December 16, 2022, 12:54 pm

Taking note of the recent border clash between Indian troops and Chinese soldiers General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita breaks his silence on Friday.

Meanwhile, Kalita said, the transgression by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) patrol was “contested firmly”. The flag meeting at a delegation level helped to resolve the matter.

The clash between Indian troops and Chinese troops took place in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.

The top minister said, “You all are aware that all across the border there are different perceptions in the Line of Actual Control (LAC), there are eight recognized disputed areas where the different perceptions are acknowledged by both sides. So in one of those areas, where there are different perceptions of the LAC, PLA patrol transgressed and which was contested very firmly.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh said, in the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh Tawang Sector China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress.

Rajnath Singh stated, “Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it.”

“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops firmly and resolutely,” Rajnath Singh said.

Union Defense minister further said, “The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” said Singh. He further said, “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides.”

Rajnath Singh clarified and said, “There are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations.”

Moreover, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of Vijay Diwas Lt Gen RP Kalita’s remarks came.

However, Lt Gen RP Kalita also requested people to not believe any rumors about the incident.

“I am happy to say that it was contained at the local level. Though some minor injuries were there to soldiers of both sides. I would also like to request you not to listen to any rumors, it was only minor injuries to soldiers from both sides,” Kalita said.

“The local Commanders were able to resolve the issue by carrying out negotiations resorting to the existing protocols, which was followed by a flag meeting at the delegation level at Bumla, wherein the issue has been resolved further. Presently, I would like to assure you that the border areas along the northern frontier are stable and we are firmly in control,” Kalita said.