China mobilizes ‘staggering’ naval presence in Taiwan Strait: Taipei

China has deployed an “unprecedented number” of naval ships in the Taiwan Strait and announced extensive reserved airspace zones in a display of its capability to project power in the Pacific, a senior island defense official said on Wednesday.

The show of force, which has yet to include any military exercises, comes days after Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, visited Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam during a tour to reinforce ties with the island’s Pacific allies. It also comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is preparing for his second term.

On Wednesday, the Reuters news agency said China had deployed about 90 ships in waters surrounding Taiwan.

In addition to the ships, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced seven reserved airspace zones east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces and spanning 1,000 km (620 miles), covering what is known as the First Island Chain, in the western Pacific, from Japan south to Borneo.

“This showcases the PLA’s capability to project power eastward to the First Island Chain and the Western Pacific,” Lt. Gen. Hsieh Jih-sheng, deputy chief of Taiwan’s Intelligence and Operations Staff, told at a press conference.

Hsieh said the deployment, which included 47 fighter aircraft, was larger than two previous exercises China launched this year, Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B.

“The figures are indeed staggering,” Hsieh said, when questioned about the Chinese aircraft and ships involved.

Asked about the timing of the Chinese deployment and whether it could be related to Lai’s Pacific tour or the change of administration in the United States, Hsieh declined to speculate.

“Whatever connections the CCP tries to draw is their matter; there’s no need to answer on their behalf,” he said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. “Their actions have indeed raised concerns and unease among neighboring countries.”

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During a news conference on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position on its claim to Taiwan in response to a question.

“Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory,” spokeswoman Mao Ning said. “The Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China. China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Meanwhile, Sun Li-fang, a Taiwan defense ministry spokesman, said China’s actions were never in response to a particular individual or political position, but more of a broader challenge.

“The CCP’s fundamental goal is to use authoritarian means to challenge regional order and peace,” Sun said.

This story was produced by Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.