China's drills reflect 'gunboat diplomacy' to counter U.S.: Scholars
03/01/2025 04:44 PMListen
Taipei, March 1 (CNA) The Chinese military is engaging in "gunboat diplomacy" by holding unannounced live-fire drills near Taiwan as well as Australia and New Zealand to demonstrate its intent on counterbalancing the United States, scholars told CNA.
A zone was set up by the Chinese military in international waters about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) off the coasts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung County on Feb. 26 for "shooting exercises" without giving Taiwan prior notice, the Ministry of National Defense said that day.
Prior to that, on Feb. 21 and 22, three Chinese warships conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, also without notifying the authorities of the two Oceanian nations in advance, according to an Associated Press report.
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202503010010
