The Chinese military announced that it had begun patrols and military exercises around Taiwan for a three-day period from the 8th. It is believed to be a countermeasure to the meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker McCarthy, and on the 3th it focused on verifying the ability to seize control of the sea and air.
Chinese military announces less information and responds in a restrained manner?
Q. Large-scale military exercises were held last year, but what do you think of this time?
A. (Tomoki Matsuda, China General Bureau):
There is little information released by the Chinese military, and I feel that it is responding in a restrained manner.
Last year, after the arrival of Mr. Pelosi, who was the chair at the time, in Taiwan, the specific areas and contents of the exercise were announced immediately, but this time I have the impression that the response was slow.
In addition to considering public opinion in Taiwan ahead of the presidential election to be held in January next year, Chairman McCarthy did not visit Taiwan, and there is also a desire not to further aggravate the confrontation with the United States.
However, since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others in China have repeatedly emphasized that they will take countermeasures, they cannot take a response that is perceived as weak by the public.
China intends to continue to exert pressure on Taiwan while assessing the situation.
Taiwan I can't read the direction of public opinion
Q. What is Taiwan's reaction?
A. (Taipei Bureau, Bureau Chief Xiao Kenxiong):
To put it simply, I am calm.
Looking around a few parks and commercial districts in Taipei, I feel that the crowds and atmosphere are no different from a normal weekend, and the TV stations do not cover this news in a big way.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strongly criticizes China, saying, "No matter how you cheer militarily, the people of Taiwan will only become more and more united in unity."
On the other hand, the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, commented, "Both sides of the Taiwan Strait should make their utmost efforts to pursue peace and stability."
In addition to calling on China to exercise restraint, he implicitly criticized the Tsai Ing-wen administration for cooperating with the United States against China.
The actions of the Chinese military are likely to be a shaking up in the run-up to the presidential election, but I don't think it is possible for the ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan or China to read what the wind of public opinion will be at this point.