China’s Silent Strategy: The Quiet Normalization of Military Power Around Taiwan

China’s Quiet Military Show of Strength Around Taiwan

For years now, Taiwan has lived in the shadow of China’s growing military presence. But lately, Beijing has unveiled a new and even more subtle tactic to signal its strength: large-scale military drills, with no fanfare, no media blitz—just action. Experts agree that this is China’s latest move to assert dominance over Taiwan, to show that the island is under constant watch, and to send a quiet message to the U.S. that China can act whenever it wants.

Earlier this week, Taiwan went on high alert after China conducted what the island called the largest massing of naval forces in three decades. For four days, Taiwan watched nervously as China deployed a significant number of warships and warplanes near its shores. The drills took place across the East and South China Seas, extending beyond Taiwan’s own territorial waters, and had an unsettling silence about them.

Normally, China’s military would flood the media with graphics, videos, and propaganda. The usual playbook would involve a dramatic show of force to accompany the drills—something for the world to see. But this time, Beijing was quiet. Their official military statements were cryptic, quoting the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu from The Art of War, offering nothing more than a few words about the ever-changing nature of warfare.

This was a departure from the brash, in-your-face tactics China has used in the past. Instead, they chose silence, only to issue a statement later that left many wondering: Were the drills even happening, or was this all part of a larger strategy of creating confusion?

In fact, Taiwan’s officials have started referring to these movements as “drills that dare not speak their name.” The lack of transparency and communication from Beijing has raised alarms. The silence isn’t just an absence of words; it’s an effort to lull Taiwan and the international community into a sense of uncertainty.

The New Approach: Normalizing Military Presence

China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” war games in October were accompanied by the usual flood of media content: cartoons mocking Taiwan’s president, fiery rhetoric, and graphic displays of military might.

But this time, things felt different. There was no massive propaganda campaign to coincide with the military exercises.

Security experts suggest that this shift is part of a larger strategy. China seems to be gradually normalizing its military presence around Taiwan. What once felt like temporary, high-profile drills has now become a near-constant show of force. For years, Beijing has been sending warships and warplanes almost daily into the waters and airspace around Taiwan. But now, China’s military movements have become more integrated, frequent, and subtle.

Taiwan’s military is constantly on edge, watching the skies and seas for any sign that the situation might escalate. There’s a fear that these exercises could suddenly shift into something more serious—a full-blown attack. But China’s new tactic seems designed to keep everyone guessing. By not announcing the drills in advance, Beijing hopes to lower Taiwan’s alertness, catching everyone off guard when it decides to act.

Strategic Moves: Controlling the First Island Chain

Taiwan’s defense ministry noted that China’s naval deployment during these recent exercises extended all the way across the First Island Chain. The First Island Chain stretches from Japan through Taiwan, the Philippines, and down to Borneo, creating a strategic barrier that essentially encircles China’s coastal seas. For Beijing, controlling this chain would prevent any foreign forces—particularly those from the U.S.—from coming to Taiwan’s aid in the event of a conflict.

But this isn’t just about controlling geography; it’s about controlling the narrative. By making its military presence a normalized reality, China is subtly shifting the balance of power in the region. The more consistent its presence, the harder it becomes for Taiwan—and for the U.S. and its allies—to respond effectively.

This doesn’t mean China is itching for a war with Taiwan. Instead, it’s a carefully calibrated strategy. China wants to show its dissatisfaction with Taiwan’s stance on independence, but it also wants to display its strength to the U.S. and its regional allies. By asserting control over the First Island Chain, China makes it clear that it has the military muscle to back up its political claims.

What Comes Next?

This move is just the latest step in a long-standing effort by China to establish its dominance in the Taiwan Strait. It’s a slow burn—a strategy to make Taiwan’s defenses look outdated and ineffective. By escalating its military presence while keeping the situation ambiguous, Beijing is showing its long-term intentions without revealing all its cards.

As this plays out, Taiwan’s security will only become more precarious. Beijing’s goal seems to be to make intervention by the U.S. and its allies seem unfeasible, to gradually isolate Taiwan, and to position itself as the unchallenged power in the region.

Whether this tactic will be enough to shift the balance of power remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: China is moving methodically, steadily, and with purpose. The clock is ticking, and Taiwan’s military is on high alert, waiting for the next move.

In the end, it’s not just about military drills. It’s about sending a message: China is here, it is strong, and it is ready to act when the time is right.

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