HONG KONG – China sent warplanes to the Strait of Taiwan over the weekend, a show of strength to the Biden government that indicates Beijing’s plans to maintain pressure on Taiwan, even if it wants to make a recovery with the United States.
Taiwan’s army said four Chinese fighter jets, eight bombers and one submarine entered its southwestern air defense identification zone and crossed the center line dividing the Strait of Taiwan. This was followed on Sunday by 12 fighters, two aircraft and a reconnaissance aircraft.
Although such exercises have been common and sometimes larger in recent years, the timing of this effort, a few days after a new U.S. government took office, took note in Taipei and Washington.
The Taiwanese military has said it has sent radio alerts to Chinese planes, deployed defense missile systems and sent patrol aircraft to monitor them.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement released on Saturday that the United States “noted with concern the ongoing efforts to intimidate neighboring countries, including Taiwan,” referring to the People’s Republic of China. China.
“We call on Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead hold a meaningful dialogue with the democratically elected representatives of Taiwan,” he added.
Also on Saturday, Theodore Roosevelt, an American aircraft carrier, entered the South China Sea with his accompanying strike group over what the navy described as ‘routine operations’ to ‘ensure freedom of the seas’.
While Chinese military officials did not necessarily consider exercises with the new US government, the timing could have value for Beijing, says Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official responsible for China and now a research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. at the National University of Singapore.
“I think it’s a mistake to assume that everything is a signal,” he said. “But certainly the operation is militarily beneficial in terms of training and experience, but also a very useful political signal for not only Taiwan, but of course also for the new Biden government.”
The Trump administration has taken a series of steps to increase the United States’ relationship with Taiwan, send high-level officials, and approve arms sales. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, days before he left office, lifted rules restricting contact between U.S. and Taiwan officials.
China considers self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory, if it is united by force if necessary. The United States severed formal ties with Taipei when it recognized the government in Beijing in 1979, but still maintained extensive unofficial relations.
The Trump administration’s late move to China, including an indication that its repression in the far western region of Xinjiang was a genocide, could have complicated President Biden’s China policy.
However, incoming officials said the United States would maintain a tough stance toward China while showing support for Taiwan. Antony J. Blinken, the nominee for secretary of state, said at a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday that he agrees with some of the Trump administration’s views on China, but not necessarily his tactics, and will work more closely with American allies.
Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, Bi-khim Hsiao, was invited to mr. Attend Biden’s Inauguration, the first time a Taiwanese representative since 1979 has been asked to attend.
Shortly after Mr. Biden has been sworn in, Beijing is announcing sanctions against 28 Americans, including Pompeo and other Chinese hawks who they believe are “seriously violating China’s sovereignty.”
Some of those targeted played the role of deepening ties with Taiwan, including Alex M. Azar II, the former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and former Secretary of State Keith J. Krach, who both visited Taiwan last year, and Kelly Craft. , the outgoing ambassador to the United Nations, who last week held a video call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.