Taoyuan: On the second day of China’s latest large-scale military drills around Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) scheduled 10-hour live-fire exercises prompted concern among some international passengers landing at Taoyuan International Airport on Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, American tourist Dan expressed his worries after his flight from Okinawa, Japan, landed safely at the airport. The 53-year-old scientist, in Taiwan to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Taipei, noted that while China frequently conducts drills around Taiwan, the latest exercises seemed more of a nuisance than a threat. Dan’s wife, Teresa, shared her relief at their smooth and timely flight, despite initial concerns over possible rerouting due to major airspace restrictions imposed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Teresa recounted her apprehension during the flight, frequently glancing out the window due to the potential danger posed by military activities in a busy airspace. She speculated that China’s decision to launch the drills might be linked to recent comments by Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. On November 7, Takaichi stated that any armed force used by China against Taiwan could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, leading to a sharp response from Beijing.
Echoing similar sentiments, a Japanese tourist surnamed Someya suggested that Takaichi’s remarks could have been perceived as provocative by China, possibly prompting an increased alert level and the subsequent drills. Someya also speculated that the exercises might serve as a warning to Taiwan against forging closer ties with Japan.
Despite the tensions, most flights arriving at Taoyuan International Airport remained on schedule, including that of Renz Noveloso from the Philippines. Noveloso, traveling with his family for New Year celebrations, expressed his concern over the drills after seeing images on social media depicting the surrounding military presence. Recognizing similar geopolitical tensions in his home country, he emphasized the importance of resolving such issues diplomatically, acknowledging the complexity of Taiwan-China relations.
