The Anaconda wraps around its prey slowly and meticulously, a tactic China is employing against Taiwan, according to Taiwanese Naval Commander Tang Hua. He asserts this is China's Anaconda Strategy, slowly attempting to intimidate and strengthen its defenses, bolstering military drills.
Hua highlighted that Taiwan's soldiers and vessels are being obstructed. Naval blockades are being formed, creating obstacles in the sea. China aims for Taiwan to make a mistake to justify an attack. While this strategy is gradual, there's certainty that China will seize the opportunity to strike Taiwan.
Source: aajtak
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's animosity towards China is well-known. China paints him as a tough, quarrelsome separatist leader, poised to initiate war in the Taiwan Strait. However, the opposite seems to be occurring as China's military amplifies its activities.
China's Military Encircles Taiwan
Since May 2024, following Lai Ching-te's victory, China's People's Liberation Army has increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait with more warships, aerial exercises, and an ever-growing force. This gradual pressure mirrors the Anaconda Strategy.
Source: aajtak
Preparing for Aerial Incursions
In a recent interview, Tang Hua disclosed China's gradual military buildup around Taiwan, escalating activities to potentially blockade the Taiwan Strait for an assault. Despite 36 aerial border breaches in January, the number surged fivefold by August, with 193 incursions.
Doubling Warship Numbers Near the Border
China's warship count leaped from 142 in January to 282 by August. These ships increasingly approach Taiwan, venturing within zones merely 24 nautical miles (44.44 km) from the border, with patrols stretching from hours to days. Such movements were absent until after August 2022, with China's forces notably active south and west in the Bashi Channel between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Source: aajtak
Aerial Intrusion Practice Under ‘Military Exercises’
Taiwan's eastern border, a thorn in China's side, shelters Taiwanese fighter jets in mountain bunkers. Despite these defenses, China faces challenges in these areas while also increasing its forces in the south and west, practicing air incursions under the guise of military exercises.
War with China Would Engage Half of Taiwan’s Navy
Taiwanese defense researchers Cheng-kun Ma and Tristan Tan warn that potential war with China would require deploying 25 to 50% of Taiwan's naval ships due to China's superior numbers of frigates and a tenfold increase in destroyers. China maintains significant pressure on Taiwan, aiming to overwhelm with persistent force.
