ina has conducted large-scale military drills near Taiwan, involving naval vessels, fighter aircraft, and missile units. Beijing describes these exercises as defensive measures aimed at deterring “separatism” and foreign interference. Taiwan’s authorities, however, have characterized the maneuvers as coercive and destabilizing. Taiwan, a self-governing democracy with its own military and elected government, has consistently rejected Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. Officials in Taipei reiterated that the island’s future must be decided by its people and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the current status quo. The developments have drawn close attention from the international community. The United States and several of its allies have warned that any unilateral attempt to change the situation by force would have serious consequences, emphasizing the importance of peace, dialogue, and freedom of navigation in the region. Political analysts note that while Beijing continues to publicly state a preference for peaceful reunification, the combination of increasingly assertive language and sustained military pressure suggests a strategy designed to test regional responses and reshape the strategic environment. As tensions persist, the Taiwan Strait remains one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints, with potential implications extending far beyond East Asia. Governments and global markets alike are closely monitoring the situation as it continues to evolve. Source: Al Jazeera