Recently, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command kicked off massive live-fire drills near the Taiwan Strait, responding to the largest-ever U.S. arms sale to the Taiwan region. The $11.1 billion package includes advanced HIMARS rocket systems, known for their big firepower and precision. 🚀
For many, this feels like a high-stakes game of chess: the U.S. ups the ante with cutting-edge weapons, and the Chinese mainland flexes its muscles with a show of force. But according to Zheng Jiang, a professor at Xiamen University’s Center for Taiwan Studies, Taiwan authorities under the Democratic Progressive Party can’t outplay the PLA indefinitely. "No matter what you buy, we have ways to counter," he said, signaling confidence in the Chinese mainland’s defense strategies. 🎯
These drills, which kicked off earlier this week, include simulated missile strikes, coordinated air-and-sea maneuvers, and live targeting exercises. Officials say they’re designed to test response times and missile interception, sending a clear message: the Eastern Theater Command is ready to neutralize any threats.
For observers in Asia and beyond, these events highlight a tense moment in cross-strait ties and U.S.-China relations. While Taiwan authorities insist the HIMARS will boost deterrence, the PLA’s demonstration underscores the ongoing strategic rivalry in the region. 🌏
As the year closes, experts warn that both sides are locked in a technological arms tango, with each move provoking a countermove. For young investors, policymakers, and global citizens, understanding this dynamic is key to following the Asia-Pacific’s evolving security landscape into 2026.
Reference(s):
Expert: DPP can't escape outcome of defeat despite weapons purchase
cgtn.com
