China launched a massive military exercise and seeks to push Taiwan toward a war.

This Tuesday, the Chinese army carried out a series of military maneuvers around Taiwan, which included the participation of its land, naval, air, and missile forces.

These maneuvers were presented as a "severe warning" against what Beijing considers as the separatist forces of "Taiwan independence."

The situation arises after a visit to Asia by the United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who had expressed his firm stance against China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

The maneuvers of the Chinese Armed Forces (PLA) were described by the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army as a series of exercises aimed at simulating a "blockade" of the island and testing the joint operational capabilities of Chinese troops.

In the context of these maneuvers, simulated attacks on maritime and land targets were carried out, as well as blockades in key areas and maritime routes. These activities were described by Chinese authorities as a legitimate action to safeguard "national sovereignty" and prevent Taiwan independence.

The government of Taiwancondemned the maneuvers as "irresponsible" and "reckless", accusing China of violating international laws. Additionally, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that it had detected the presence of 71 Chinese aircraft and 13 naval vessels near the island, including the fleet led by China's aircraft carrier Shandong.

In response, Taiwan deployed its own aircraft and ships, and activated its land-based missile systems to monitor the situation and be ready to respond.

According to an internal analysis by the Taiwanese government, Beijing launched these military maneuvers at a time when relations with the United States were increasing pressure on China, especially due to the expected trade talks between the two countries.

Analysts point out that China's maneuvers are a way to demonstrate its frustration with Taiwan's policies, particularly with the pro-independence stance of its president, Lai Ching-te, and Washington's actions in support of Taiwanese sovereignty.

In propaganda videos released by the Eastern Theater Command, Lai was depicted as a "parasite" undermining the island, a symbol of the verbal attacks China has directed against Taiwan's president.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities continue to insist that Taiwan is an integral part of their territory, despite the strong opposition of the Taiwanese population to being governed by the Chinese Communist Party.

This type of military exercise has become a "normality" in Beijing's strategy to pressure Taiwan, and in recent years, Chinese military activity near the island has intensified, including simulations of blockades and other military control exercises.

Taiwan, meanwhile, remains firm in its rejection of China's sovereignty claims, and its government continues to assert that only the Taiwanese people have the right to decide their future.

Surveys indicate that the majority of Taiwanese oppose any attempt at reunification with China, especially under the conditions of an authoritarian regime.

Regarding the international community's response, Taiwan has urged the world's democracies to condemn China's actions, which it considers a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense also emphasized that its armed forces are on "high alert" to prevent China's maneuvers from turning into an open conflict.

Chinese authorities, as in previous occasions, have not hesitated to label Taiwan's actions as "provocations," especially the initiatives of the Lai administration that seek to strengthen Taiwan's international relations, particularly with the United States and its regional allies.

This increase in tensions has raised concerns in the region, as the Taiwan Strait is seen as a potential conflict zone in the event of a military confrontation between China and the United States, due to the support Washington has provided to Taiwan in terms of defense.

Despite these tensions, Taiwan's stock market has shown signs of stability, with a 2.8% increase in the stock index, suggesting that, at least for now, investors haven't reacted with panic to the Chinese maneuvers.