Taiwan’s Navy Simulates Chinese Maritime Blockade In Latest Security Drill

Taiwan conducted a security drill in which it simulated a Chinese maritime blockade of its ports and how it would respond to such a situation.

The exercise comes as China continues to exert pressure on the island nation using ‘grey-zone tactics’ like coast guard patrols, maritime law enforcement missions and other measures without going for full-scale military confrontation.

The drill was presented in a meeting which included President Lai Ching-te’s Whole-of-Society Defence Resilience Committee.

Officials said China could use coast guard vessels rather than a direct attack towards Taiwan in the near future.

The exercise imagined a scenario where the Chinese Coast Guard announces that ships coming and going from Taiwan’s ports should first complete declarations or seek permission through a Chinese government website.

Then, China would gradually tighten its grip using inspections, illegal boardings, ship interceptions and seizures to disrupt Taiwan’s maritime trade.

The drill aimed to find out how and to what extent this could harm Taiwan’s economy and what measures could be taken in such a situation.

The response included several government agencies.

First, the Taiwan Coast Guard would take strong law-enforcement measures, while the military would launch combat-readiness drills.

Defence and foreign ministries would start the diplomatic and public information campaigns highlighting what the country views as violations of international law and freedom of navigation.

Taiwan did not reveal the other tactics it would use to bypass potential Chinese blockade; however, this exercise shows that the island is preparing for forms of coercion which fall short of direct military action but could disrupt the island’s economy and security.

China asserts that Taiwan is a part of its territory and it could even use force to bring the island under its control.

It regularly deploys military aircraft, government ships and naval vessels around Taiwan.

In a recent resilience committee meeting, President Lai accused China of using law-enforcement measures to advance its territorial aims.

He said China’s “acts of expansion carried out under the guise of law enforcement” undermine regional peace, security and stability.

“Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its self-defence capabilities, maintain the peaceful and stable status quo, and safeguard its democratic and free way of life are absolutely not provocations,” he added.