China provokes by training its soldiers around Taiwan

Provocation! China has commenced military exercises of blockade and precision strikes around Taiwan, which it calls a "separatist" region. The island has been coveted by China since it served as a refuge for the Kuomintang in 1949.

Taiwan is a disputed territory. And China doesn't hide its desire to reclaim it. The archipelago of 168 islands and islets served as a refuge for opponents of Communist China after the defeat of Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang to Mao Zedong during the civil war in 1949. It then became a sovereign state, that was however not recognised by all nations.

Taiwan is regularly the target of threats from its neighbour. The most recent is happening right now, since 31 March 2025. The People's Republic of China has sent military forces into international waters near and around Taiwan to carry out operational exercises. It notably trained its soldiers and sailors to maintain a blockade, to conduct "multi-directional precision strikes" and to assault "military targets". These manoeuvres reignite tensions in the region and worry the authorities of Taipei.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Le Soir with AFP – Picture: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Taiwan Defense Ministry / Handout)