China is conducting large-scale naval exercises in the western Pacific, involving the aircraft carrier *Liaoning* and other warships. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence, the Chinese military is practising restricting access to the region by foreign forces, which could complicate intervention by the US and its allies in the event of a conflict over the island. Last week, Taiwan recorded the presence of more than 100 Chinese warships and coastguard vessels in adjacent maritime areas.
- China is conducting naval exercises involving the aircraft carrier «Liaoning».
- The military are practising measures to restrict access to the region by the US and its allies.
- Last week, Taiwan tracked more than 100 Chinese military and coastguard vessels.
- Taipei has stepped up surveillance and the exchange of intelligence with its partners.
China is working on restrictions on access for foreign troops
According to Ku, the «Liaoning» aircraft carrier strike group and other units of the Chinese Navy are taking part in the exercises. The manoeuvres are being conducted in the western Pacific, where Beijing has recently been stepping up its military presence.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence describes these actions as part of an A2/AD strategy — denying the enemy access and manoeuvring freedom. This involves the use of naval, air and missile forces to hinder the operations of foreign troops in a specific area.
In the context of Taiwan, such a scenario means that the arrival of US and allied forces could be blocked or hindered in the event of a Chinese military operation against the island.
Last week, the Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council Joseph Wu reported on the deployment of more than 100 Chinese warships and coastguard vessels near Taiwan, in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The island’s Ministry of Defence has also recorded a significant increase in the number of Chinese military aircraft in the region.
Taiwan is stepping up its surveillance of the Chinese navy
Wellington Ku stated that the Taiwanese military is closely monitoring the movements of Chinese ships and aircraft. To this end, it is using reconnaissance assets, surveillance systems and the exchange of information with international partners.
The minister emphasised that Taipei regards such manoeuvres as military pressure that threatens the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
The Chinese Ministry of Defence has not issued an immediate comment on the current exercises. At the same time, in October, Beijing stated that the manoeuvres of the aircraft carrier Liaoning in the western Pacific were part of routine training for combat operations on the high seas and were not directed against any specific country.
The manoeuvres are taking place on the eve of the meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping
The increased activity of the Chinese navy coincided with preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China. Talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to take place on the sidelines of the meeting.
Local elections are also due to take place in Taiwan at the end of November, which adds a political dimension to Beijing’s military activities.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to establish control over the island. The Taiwanese authorities reject Beijing’s claims and insist that only the island’s inhabitants can determine its future.
