Significant increase noted in China's movements at an airbase near Taiwan

Beijing/Taipei: China, who has started a spate of issuing threats to Taiwan following the change of guard in the United States, has accelerated its inciting activities. As per received reports, China has started building new airstrips and other facilities at airbases within just 200 kilometres of Taiwan. Satellite photographs of the activities have also been published. Against the background of these Chinese activities, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen reportedly visited a Taiwanese naval base.

The ruling communist government in China consistently claims that Taiwan is an integral part of China. In the past, the Chinese regime claimed that Taiwan would be merged with China through political means. But over the last few years, this stand has changed to launching a unilateral attack to acquire Taiwan. Open threats to this effect are being issued even during the communist party meetings. Taking advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic, China has greatly increased its activities against Taiwan, and this expansion of the airbase is also considered a part of that.

The satellite photos have exposed that major defence-related activities are being carried out at two leading airbases in China’s Fujian Province. The building of new airstrips, hangars and other systems is being carried out at the Long Xian and Huan airbases. Long Xian airport is just 170 kilometres from the Taiwanese border. Whereas, Huan airbase is 190 kilometres from Taiwan. The Chinese fighter jets can enter the Taiwan border in a mere seven minutes and launch an attack.

Former Taiwanese officials claimed that the airbases are important for China from the psychological point of view and their military importance. The former commander of the Taiwanese air force, Chang Yen-Ting, said that China could further pressure Taiwan by increasing activities on these airbases. Ting clarified that operating from the Long Xian and Huan airbases will result in a major saving for China in terms of time, fuel and workforce.

The Chinese activities on the airbases near Taiwan are considered part of the Chinese aggressive and dominating policies. China is consistently holding war exercises near Taiwan ever since there has been a change of guard in the United States. The intrusion of fighter jets and surveillance aircraft has also increased in the Taiwanese airspace. Analysts warn that China is not paying any heed to the warnings issued by US President Biden and his administration.

Meanwhile, Taiwan also has started augmenting its strengths to retaliate against Chinese activities. As a part of these preparations, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen visited the naval base at Kilung. At this time, she also issued a warning that Taiwan will not part with even a square inch of its land.