China steps up military pressure on Taiwan, haunts island territory during Lunar New Year holiday

China’s military intensified its maneouvers near Taiwan during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.

The development has been noteworthy because of the holiday season being a period typically marked by a slowdown in defence operations, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployed an average of 13 aircraft and six naval vessels near the self-governed island each day over the 15-day holiday period. That compares with nine aircraft and six vessels during the same period last year. Notably, this year’s aircraft flew closer to Taiwan, continuing a pattern that began after William Lai Ching-te of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took office in May, South China Morning Post reported.

The Lunar New Year holiday, which concluded last week, is based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and varies annually. During this year’s celebrations, 70 per cent of the PLA aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait, a de facto boundary between China and Taiwan. This marked a sharp increase from 32 per cent a year earlier, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.

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Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Analysts said the increased military activity reflects China’s ongoing efforts to normalise its military posture around Taiwan.

Chang Yen-ting, a retired Taiwanese air force lieutenant general, told SCMP that the timing of the operations during the most significant Chinese holiday could serve as “effective propaganda” for the mainland audience.

“It is meant to tell the public that, for the great cause of reunification, the military has sacrificed their own family reunion time,” Chang said.

By maintaining a regular military presence near Taiwan, Beijing also aims to assert its sphere of influence in the region. “It stresses that the Taiwan Strait is part of their territory, but this does not pose an immediate threat to Taiwan,” Chang added.

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China’s Eastern Theatre Command, responsible for operations in the Taiwan Strait, conducted “multiple combat readiness patrols and exercises” near the island between January 29, Lunar New Year’s Eve, and February 12, the Lantern Festival, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

These included a confrontation drill led by the PLA naval frigate Huaibei on the final day of the holiday. Groups of J-10C multi-role fighters and several H-6K bombers also participated in patrol and mission activities, CCTV said.

Taiwan’s defence ministry reported that 30 PLA aircraft and seven naval vessels operated near the island on the final day of the holiday period, with 23 aircraft crossing the median line.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, said the increased flights and naval movements are part of the PLA’s “regularisation of high-pressure drills” aimed at improving combat readiness.

“The PLA has always conducted patrols during national holidays, and this uptick is consistent with efforts to strengthen preparedness,” Song said.

Meanwhile, naval strike groups from the United States and France, along with a Japanese destroyer, conducted a 10-day joint exercise from February 8 in the Celebes Sea and Philippine Sea. The drills included anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises.