Largest Chinese Naval Fleet Deployment since 1996
The recent Chinese naval fleet deployment in regional waters is the largest in nearly three decades, significantly raising tensions near Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry said on Tuesday, December 10th. Officials described the deployment, stretching from the southern Japanese islands to the South China Sea, as the most extensive since China’s 1996 war games around Taiwan during its presidential elections.
Provocation Following Pacific Tour
The deployment is widely seen as a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent Pacific tour, which included stops in Hawaii and Guam. On Monday December 9th, Taiwan heightened its alert level, citing nearly 90 Chinese navy and coast guard ships in the region. This Chinese naval fleet deployment includes two-thirds naval vessels, marking a significant escalation in China’s regional activities.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that the current naval fleet deployment poses an unprecedented threat to regional stability. Although no live-fire drills have been observed, China has reserved seven airspace zones, including two in the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan to activate “combat readiness exercises” at key locations.
Grey-Zone Harassment and Strategic Intimidation
Taiwan accused China of engaging in “grey-zone harassment,” with seven Chinese coast guard ships acting provocatively. Analysts pointed out that the Chinese naval fleet deployment targets the First Island Chain, which spans Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Borneo. The strategy aims to deny foreign forces access and reinforce Beijing’s control over its coastal seas.
International Concerns Over Escalation
The U.S. State Department called for restraint, stating that President Lai’s transit should not be used as a pretext for military escalation. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that China’s actions threaten the international rules-based order, emphasizing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region. Taiwan echoed these concerns, urging Beijing to avoid destabilizing the Indo-Pacific further.
