Analysts agree that the constant buildup of maneuvers doesn't seek training but instead seeks to normalize China's military presence around Taiwan and accustom the international community to ever-increasing pressure.
Taiwan reaffirms its sovereignty and strengthens its defense
In the face of this scenario, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was categorical. In his New Year message, he reaffirmed the determination of the island to defend its sovereignty and to strengthen its defensive capability in the face of threats from the Chinese regime.
Lai stressed that the international community is watching to see whether Taiwan is willing to protect its democracy and its freedom, and he called for internal political support to increase the military budget, with an investment plan of 40 billion dollars currently blocked by the opposition.
The president also warned that 2026 will be a key year and that the island must prepare for the worst possible scenario, without giving up hope of avoiding a conflict.
A showdown between authoritarianism and democracy
China's pressure on Taiwan is not a bilateral conflict but a clash of models. On one side, an authoritarian regime that doesn't tolerate self-determination; on the other, a democracy that defends its sovereignty in the face of coercion. The military maneuvers and Beijing's ultimatums reinforce the need to support Taiwan as a key actor for regional stability and the international order.
