China escalate and is concerned. Demonstration of strength around Taiwan and Japan

China significantly increased their military presence in the waters of East Asia, sending an unprecedented number of combat and patrol units in May in the vicinity of Taiwan and Japan ” – Reuters said on Wednesday. This demonstration of strength raises concern in the capitals of the region.

The agency, citing three anonymous security officials and a document on military operations, indicates a “obvious” increase in the presence of the Chinese Navy this month.

Only on May 21 and 27 Beijing arranged about 60 and over 70 units near Taiwan, southern islands of Japan and in the disputed areas of the East China and South China. About three quarters of them were war ships, including frigates, destroyers and patrol boats. In addition, two Chinese shock groups with “Liaoning” and “Shandong” airports are currently operating in the region – emphasized.

Analysts and regional officials interpret these activities as a “demonstration of the force” aimed at strengthening Chinese domination and exert pressure on the so -called The first chain of the islands, stretching from Japan through Taiwan to Borneo. Beijing “tries to show that these are his territorial waters, and he can act when and where he wants,” said one of the interlocutors cited by Reuters.

Over the past two weeks, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (ALW) has also announced several zones of exercises with acute ammunition, including one near the southwestern coast of Taiwan.

The authorities in Tokyo, following the movements of “Liaoning”, expressed fear of China's ability to operate far from the coast. A spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning said that the activity of the ship is in accordance with international law and should be seen “objectively and rationally”.

Reuters points out that these activities coincide with, among others With the anniversary of taking office by President Taiwan Lai Ching-Te, whom Beijing considers a “separatist”.

Separately, Reuters also revealed on Wednesday that the analysis of satellite photos showed that in May, for the first time since 2020, in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea landed the most advanced H-6 Alw H-6 bombers. According to analysts, this is another Beijing signal about his growing military abilities towards rivals – specifically the Philippines and Taiwan. These landings, as noticed, took place shortly in front of the Dialog Shangri-la defensive forum, which will take place this weekend in Singapore.

Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

KRP/ Kar/