Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said Friday that China is conducting amphibious landing exercises near Dacheng Bay in the southern province of Fujian which faces Taiwan. It is but the latest of recent Chinese military maneuvers which the minister called “abnormal.” Last weekend, China flew over 100 aircraft towards Taiwan in less than 24 hours, and since has continued to fly 20-30 aircraft towards Taiwan on an almost daily basis including Friday. Now a Taiwanese official has shared anonymously that more than 100 Chinese navy ships were operating off Taiwan’s northeast coast last week. Another Taiwanese official said that “China is seeking to normalize these activities and push Taiwan into a corner.” The official also said that China could be trying to provoke a Taiwanese response to fire on Chinese military planes or ships. Taiwan has said repeatedly that they will not escalate the situation but will not continue to allow “repeated provocations” from China.
