China has become more likely to openly and covertly demonstrate its power right before the inauguration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump. In particular, Beijing is increasing pressure on Washington's allies and is participating in hybrid warfare in cyberspace, Business Insider reports.
It is noted that in the past few months, China has begun testing possible new-generation combat aircraft, the Beijing Navy has launched new warships, and the Chinese military has simulated a naval blockade of Japan for the first time and conducted large-scale exercises near Taiwan.
In addition, the United States has accused Chinese hackers of major hacks of the Ministry of Finance and telecommunications companies, the publication added. Washington also suspects that the PRC may be involved in damaging critical underwater infrastructure.
Some of these actions may be part of Beijing's long-term strategy aimed at deterring external support for Taiwan, Matthew Funaiole, a senior fellow at the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told reporters.
The publication recalled that in December, according to Taiwan, China deployed about 90 naval and coast guard ships around the country and the southern Japanese islands. Interestingly, Beijing did not announce such exercises in advance.
In addition, Taiwan recorded more than 60 incursions into its air defense identification zone. Taipei said that Chinese forces simulated attacks on foreign vessels and disrupted the navigation of others, the publication emphasized.
These exercises were the largest for China since the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis. They took place after a visit by Taiwanese President Lai Tsing-de to several Pacific partners, the publication noted.
Giselle Donnelly, a senior fellow for defense and national security policy at the American Enterprise Institute, believes the timing of the drills is “more than coincidental.” She says it’s more likely that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been trying to put as much pressure on Ukraine as possible in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration.
Donnelly explained that the Chinese leadership was likely conducting the large-scale military exercises to get an early idea of the incoming administration’s approach to U.S.-China policy.
In December, China also conducted military exercises in the Miyako Strait that resembled a naval blockade. Shortly before the end of 2024, Beijing announced that the Chinese air force and navy were conducting combat-ready patrols around Scarborough Shoal, the publication added.
In addition to the exercises, China is ramping up weapons production. For example, in November, the latest aircraft were presented at the Zhuhai air show, including the J-35A stealth fighter. The following month, prototypes of the next-generation aircraft were spotted. The Pentagon said that Beijing is developing new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to strike regional and global targets, the publication recalled.
In addition, China launched the warship CNS Sichuan, which is China's first Type 076 ship. It is also the world's largest landing ship.
Over the past two months, China has demonstrated its capabilities and taken actions that pose potential challenges to the United States, its allies and partners. These problems will face the incoming Trump administration, the publication believes.