China ends military drills after simulating strikes on Taiwan
China’s military exercises targeting Taiwan have concluded after three days in which it encircled the island, simulated missile attacks on cities, and practiced ship-launched strikes from the east.
Relations between China and Taiwan have been contentious. Its roots can be traced to the circumstances following the Chinese Civil War. This civil war ended in 1949 with the defeat of the Nationalist government by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek was exiled to Taiwan and the Republic of China (ROC) was established there.
The CPC established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Chinese mainland.
The government of Taiwan claims Taiwan to be an independent country. However, China believes that it is a province of its own, which will one day join mainland China under the One China Policy.
India’s stance has been to recognize the “One China Policy”, but since 2010 India does not refer to the One China Policy in its official statements and documents.
Impact of China-Taiwan dispute on India
- Economic: Taiwan manufactures over 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductors. During April-February 2022-23, Taiwan accounted for 9% of India’s telecom equipment imports. It was only 2.3 percent in the same period a year ago.
- Strategic: India’s trade through the South China Sea (SCS) will be disrupted. This is about 55 percent of the total Indian trade in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source – India Today
