Taiwanese Skies Full of Chinese Planes: Tensions Between Taiwan and China Skyrocket

A Taiwanese fighter jet flies next to a Chinese bomber plane in 2018. Source: The Defense Post

Since early October 2021, over 150 Chinese military planes have flown into the Taiwanese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), bringing tensions between Taiwan and China to one of their highest levels in decades. These flights are continued evidence of China’s commitment to reunification of Taiwan under Chinese sovereignty — which China refers to as the One China policy — and their willingness to accomplish this goal through military means. US Pacific Command is particularly wary of these recent developments, with Asia-Pacific Commander Philip Davidson noting that China could invade Taiwan within the next six years.

The number of Chinese flights into Taiwanese airspace increased dramatically on October 1, the National Day of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This continues a trend of making demonstrations of force towards Taiwan on days of national significance. Reunification of Mainland China and the Republic of Taiwan has been a goal of the PRC since its founding in 1949. China and Taiwan were a single country during the 18th and 19th century Qing Dynasty until the Imperial Japanese conquered Taiwan in 1895. Japanese control of Taiwan ended with the conclusion of World War II in 1945. At that point, the Kuomintang (KMT) took control of Taiwan and established the Republic of Taiwan, which is the controlling body of the Island today. KMT control has faded, however, and Taiwan currently has a democratic government. Despite Taiwan’s century-long separation from Mainland China, Chinese policy has not wavered; President Xi Jinping recently encapsulated their approach, saying “Reunification of the nation must be realized, and will definitely be realized.”

China’s actions aim to make progress towards fulfilling the One China policy, either by intimidating Taiwan or isolating the island from its allies. Chinese President Xi Jinping views this as an immediate goal, stating that “bringing Taiwan under Beijing’s control cannot be left to the next generation.” In addition, Taiwan has developed into a regional economic power. Thus, incorporating it into the PRC would benefit a Chinese economy that some have identified as having fundamental weaknesses. Taiwan has one of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia and is a global leader in information and communications technology. Integrating this industry into the Chinese economy would offset losses China has seen in the manufacturing center as production has moved to Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the re-integration of Taiwan would deal a significant geostrategic blow to both the United States and Japan, China’s key regional rivals, significantly increasing China’s relative strength in the Indo-Pacific. In taking Taiwan, China would establish a foothold in the First Island Chain, a region the United States believes to be vital to constraining Chinese influence in the Pacific. The United States believes that the First Island Chain is the initial line of defense of the United States West Coast. China likely also seeks to send a message to other powers in the region, as this escalation has occurred just days after the announcement of the AUKUS security pact, in which the U.S, U.K, and Australia formed a close relationship clearly aimed at containing Chinese influence in the Pacific. 

China’s rivals have all rebuked the PRC’s actions. The United States has urged Beijing to “cease its activity” and referred to the flights as “provocative and destabilizing.” Australia has warned China against any threat or use of force. Japan stated that they would prepare for “various scenarios” and re-affirmed their close relationship with the United States, which is stronger language than the nation has previously used with regard to China. 

Taiwan desires to either maintain its current state of functional autonomy or achieve full independence and international recognition. President Tsai Ing-Wen made it clear that Taiwan would not tolerate any encroachment from Beijing, stating that “Taiwan will do whatever it takes to defend themselves.” Taiwan has also claimed to commit itself to a policy of strict self-defense, saying that they have no adventurist ambitions. Taiwan remains in a tenuous state and is heavily reliant on support from its allies to protect it from any possible Chinese aggression. The United States has taken this protection a step further, stationing and training troops on the island. As tensions between Great Powers rise in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan remains a hotspot for their competition.