Taipei, Taiwan Reuters — Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated on Wednesday that a genuine Chinese blockade of Taiwan would constitute an act of war, significantly impacting international trade. His remarks followed recent military exercises conducted by China that simulated such a scenario.
Over the past five years, China has engaged in nearly daily military operations surrounding Taiwan, including war games that have rehearsed blockades and assaults on various ports. The Taiwanese government firmly disputes Beijing's claims of sovereignty over the island, which is governed democratically.
The recent military drills conducted by China involved simulations of blockading critical ports and targeting both maritime and land objectives, as reported by Beijing. These actions underscore the ongoing tensions between the two sides and the potential implications for regional stability.
Koo addressed reporters at parliament, emphasizing that the "Joint Sword-2024B" exercises defined the operational area but did not establish any no-fly or no-sail zones. He articulated that a genuine blockade, as defined by international law, would entail a complete prohibition of aircraft and vessels from entering the designated area, which, under United Nations resolutions, could be interpreted as an act of war.
He further clarified the distinction between military drills and a blockade, highlighting the broader implications such actions would have on the international community. Koo referenced statistics indicating that one-fifth of global freight transits through the Taiwan Strait, suggesting that a blockade would have far-reaching effects beyond Taiwan itself. He asserted that the international community would be compelled to respond rather than remain passive.
Despite the brief duration of these military exercises, Chinese military operations have persisted. Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that a Chinese aircraft carrier group recently traversed the Taiwan Strait, moving northward after navigating waters close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. This ongoing military presence underscores China's unwavering stance on the potential use of force to assert control over Taiwan.
The ministry reported that Chinese vessels, led by the Liaoning, which is the oldest of China's three aircraft carriers, were detected on Tuesday night, prompting monitoring by its forces. The Pratas Islands are located at the northern end of the South China Sea.
According to Koo, the Liaoning was navigating towards the western side of the median line of the strait, an unofficial boundary that China does not acknowledge. The Chinese Defense Ministry has yet to provide a response to inquiries regarding this matter.
The Liaoning participated in military exercises near Taiwan last week, during which it operated off the island's southeast coast and launched aircraft from its deck. Japan noted last month that the carrier had entered its contiguous waters for the first time. China asserts exclusive jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, a claim contested by Taiwan and the United States, who regard it as an international waterway. The US Navy routinely conducts operations in the strait to uphold navigation rights, a practice mirrored by allied nations, which has drawn ire from Beijing.
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