Is it a military drill? China deploys ships and planes around Taiwan but remains mum

[240B]

Is it a military drill? China deploys ships and planes around Taiwan but remains mum

By ABC News
December 10, 2024

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- China's secretive military appears to be up to something around Taiwan, but it's unclear whether it's a formal military drill.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it has detected a dozen Chinese naval ships and 47 military planes in the past 24 hours but no live-fire activity as in previous military exercises. The deployment covers a wider area this time, with additional ships going beyond Taiwan into other parts of the Pacific, defense officials said at a news conference.

Lt. Gen. Hsieh Jih-sheng said China’s navy is creating two walls — one at Taiwan's perimeter and another outside the first island chain, which extends south from Japan and through Taiwan to the Philippines. “The message they are sending is very simple: The Taiwan Strait is ours,” he said, referring to the waters between Taiwan and China.

The military has been bracing for possible drills by China in response to a recent overseas trip by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te that included Hawaii and Guam, an American territory.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes the self-governing island having official interactions with other countries, and in particular, the United States. Lai spoke with U.S. congressional leaders by phone while in Guam last week. While the U.S., like most of the world, doesn’t formally recognize Taiwan as a country, it is the largest supplier of arms to the island of 23 million people for its defense.

(more)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/military-drill-china-deploys-ships-planes-taiwan-remains-116626921

[240B]

Taiwan is surrounded by Chinese military.

[DB]

And yet another powder keg is pushing to go boom...

China's leader is in trouble and wars normally rally the people around them. 2025 could be a bloody year where long-standing alignments suddenly shift dramatically...

[mystery-ak]

It wouldn't surprise me if China invaded a few weeks before Biden left office...but then they would have to deal with Trump in 41days

[libertybele]

It wouldn't surprise me if China invaded a few weeks before Biden left office...but then they would have to deal with Trump in 41days

I too think we may see China flex it's muscles before Trump takes office -- they know they've got Biden on their payroll and he'll accommodate them. Who knows what Biden has signed away to them and perhaps they're not worried about Trump (yet).

[240B]

I too think we may see China flex it's muscles before Trump takes office -- they know they've got Biden on their payroll and he'll accommodate them. Who knows what Biden has signed away to them and perhaps they're not worried about Trump (yet).

I do not understand why they have waited this long? Biden is in their pocket and so was Milley when he was active.
They must know that Biden is not the person running things and making the decisions.
Otherwise they would have done it already.

[DB]

It wouldn't surprise me if China invaded a few weeks before Biden left office...but then they would have to deal with Trump in 41days

If they were to do it, they would have to go full "shock and awe" or not do it all. If they take the country quickly, it doesn't matter what happens a month later in the US. On the flip side, Ukraine is a cautionary tale on what can go wrong in what was supposed to be a rapid military campaign.

If they do do it, it will cause a very serious economic tsunami around the worldwide with the potential collapsing of numerous industries.

[libertybele]

If they were to do it, they would have to go full "shock and awe" or not do it all. If they take the country quickly, it doesn't matter what happens a month later in the US. On the flip side, Ukraine is a cautionary tale on what can go wrong in what was supposed to be a rapid military campaign.

If they do do it, it will cause a very serious economic tsunami around the worldwide with the potential collapsing of numerous industries.

Agree and that is what concerns me right now.

[240B]

Agree and that is what concerns me right now.

The biggest problem for China is they want Taiwan as is. They do not want to erase and obliterate it like Putin did with Ukraine.
Taking it 'as is' requires time and finesse.

China does not have the time to conduct the war strategically.
And if the destroy it all, then what is the point?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The biggest problem for China is they want Taiwan as is. They do not want to erase and obliterate it like Putin did with Ukraine.
Taking it 'as is' requires time and finesse.

China does not have the time to conduct the war strategically.
And if the destroy it all, then what is the point?

The Chinese have all the patience in the world, as they have always operated on a 100 year plan

[DefiantMassRINO]

1.) Why take the chance or signal weakness?
2.) China waited 99 years to get Hong Kong back.
3.) The fall of Syria can be interpreted as a sign that Russia and Iran are weakening.
4.) Christmas during a Presidential transition period is a damn good time to try something:

a.) Between Administrations.
b.) Distracted by Holidays.
c.) Federal Agencies will be understaffed as Biden political appointees hit the exits and Career-Conditional employees take use-or-loose vacation time.
d.) No FY2025 Budget; Contiuing Resolution coming up for renewal; Debt ceiling may need to be raised.
e.) Federal Civilian agencies are weak, vulnerable, and less prepared to respond.