Taiwan Prepares for Chinese Drills

Taiwanese officials indicated today, Friday, that "China will likely begin military exercises next week near Taiwan," using the stop of the island's Vice President William Lai in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of next year's elections and instill fear of war. The officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, mentioned that China could conduct maneuvers similar to those it carried out in April, aimed at "military intimidation of voters in Taiwan and the region." One source, a senior official familiar with Taiwan's security planning, stated, "They are likely to use that as a pretext and announce exercises around the Taiwan Strait." The source added, "They want to increase fear of war and make Taiwanese voters support their choice." Lai is the leading candidate for the presidential elections in Taiwan in January. He will stop in New York on Saturday on his way to Paraguay and in San Francisco on Wednesday on his return to Taiwan. He will travel to Paraguay, which maintains official relations with Taiwan, to participate in the inauguration ceremony of its new president.