Post by : Shakul

Military activity around Taiwan has suddenly dropped, creating what analysts describe as an unusual silence in the skies near the island. The reduction in Chinese military aircraft activity comes just weeks before a planned visit by Donald Trump to Beijing.

According to data released by Taiwan’s defence authorities, there were nearly two weeks with almost no Chinese military aircraft detected near the island. The lull began around late February and continued for about 13 days, marking the longest pause since the government started publishing daily military data in 2020.

However, the calm was briefly broken when at least five aircraft belonging to the People's Liberation Army were detected flying near the Taiwan Strait.

China’s Military Pressure On Taiwan

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly warned it may use force to bring the island under its control. Over the past few years, Beijing has significantly increased military pressure by regularly sending fighter jets and naval ships near Taiwan.

Taiwan recorded an average of about 10 Chinese military flights per day in recent years, with some days seeing dozens of aircraft entering its air defence identification zone.

Possible Reasons Behind The Drop

Experts have suggested several possible reasons for the sudden drop in Chinese military flights. One explanation could be China’s annual political meetings known as the “two sessions” held in Beijing, during which military activity sometimes decreases.

Another factor could be the expected diplomatic meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later this month. Analysts say Beijing might be trying to reduce tensions temporarily before the high-level talks.

Some observers have also linked the slowdown to global geopolitical developments, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs.

Concerns Over Strategic Intentions

Despite the temporary lull, Taiwanese officials remain cautious. Some security experts believe the reduction in flights could be a strategic move by Beijing to create a sense of calm before increasing military pressure again.

Others say the pause might simply be routine and linked to political events inside China.

For now, the sudden silence in Taiwan’s skies has raised new questions about Beijing’s military strategy and the broader geopolitical situation in the region.

#world news #Global News #Travel News #Politics