Tensions Escalate in the South China Sea with Taiwan Military Involvement

Additional US Troops Including Tomahawk Missiles Deployed to Taiwan's Dongsha Islands
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Visits Taiwan... China Calls It "US Provocation"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Following the United States and China, Taiwan has also concentrated its military forces in the Taiwan Strait, bringing the military standoff over the South China Sea to a dangerous level.

In particular, China is strongly opposing the visit of Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, to Taiwan, raising concerns about a possible accidental clash between the U.S. and China. Some voices warn that if accidental situations between the U.S. and China are not prepared for, the 'conflict' could escalate into 'war.'

According to Taiwan media including the United Daily News on the 6th, Taiwan has redeployed troops from the elite 99th Brigade of the Taiwan Marine Corps to strengthen the defense of the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands), which Taiwan effectively controls.

The Pratas Islands are located midway between Hainan Island, where China’s second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, is deployed, and the Bashi Channel.

Taiwanese media also reported that following the additional troop deployment to the Pratas Islands, 'Stinger missiles' and 'anti-tank rocket launchers' were deployed.

The Stinger missile, an anti-aircraft guided missile, is a portable missile used by the U.S. military to target low-flying aircraft such as fighter jets or helicopters that evade radar. This is interpreted as a military redeployment to prevent the Chinese People's Liberation Army from landing on the islands.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army has mobilized not only its navy but also its air force to conduct live military exercises in the South China Sea.

Last month, the Chinese military showcased its military power by revealing the training of the new destroyer, the Zibo. The Chinese military also disclosed a 10-hour non-stop training flight of the Su-30 fighter jets, demonstrating their long-range combat flight capability through aerial refueling. Previously, the Chinese military even revealed flight training of its new strategic bomber, the H-6J, which had not been publicly disclosed before.

Meanwhile, China has strongly opposed the visit of Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, to Taiwan, with analyses suggesting that bilateral relations have reached a red line.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run Global Times, warned on his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) that "the United States continues to provoke," and said, "If control over the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea is lost, the mainland China will reveal its hand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.