Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai identified China as the greatest source of regional instability due to its ongoing military activities around Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific area. He said, "The People’s Republic of China continues to conduct military exercises of various scales and types in the Taiwan Strait region, the Indo-Pacific region, the South China Sea, and even around Japan, affecting navigational safety. This is the greatest source of regional unease and instability" [1, 2].
The Chinese navy sent a carrier task force led by the Liaoning into the Western Pacific on May 19 for training involving live firing and other drills. The Chinese navy described the exercises as routine and necessary to enhance combat capabilities, saying they comply with international law [1].
Taiwan, officially named the Republic of China, considers itself a sovereign and independent country. Premier Cho reiterated the call for dialogue with China "based on equality and dignity," which he said has been Taiwan’s consistent principle to maintain healthy and orderly cross-strait exchanges [1].
China regards Taiwan as its own territory and has increased military and political pressure against the democratically governed island. President Lai Ching-te has repeatedly sought talks, but the Chinese government has rejected these overtures and labeled Lai a "separatist" [1, 2].
President Lai is scheduled to hold a news conference on May 20 marking his second anniversary in office and outline future policy plans [1].
