Why has China yet to start its military exercise off Taiwan?

‘Routine drill’ announced on July 14, but no sign of it taking place

It was seen as a response to American support for Taiwan after arms sale and as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States

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There is no sign that China’s exercise has started, more than a week after it was announced. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00am, 24 Jul 2019Updated: 12:37am, 24 Jul 2019

Beijing has yet to begin a military exercise targeting Taiwan that it announced nine days ago, as speculation continues about the relatively long wait for it to commence.

The defence ministry said on July 14 that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was to stage a “routine drill” along China’s southeast coast, but so far no further information about it has emerged.

Despite being described as “part of the PLA’s annual plans”, the exercise has been seen as a response to the United States’ increasing support of Taiwan. It was announced less than a week after Washington ratified a US$2.2 billion arms sale to the self-ruled island and as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen prepared to visit New York and Denver.

Although the defence ministry did not specify the drill’s location, the southeast coast of China usually refers to the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang, which face the island across the 200km-wide Taiwan Strait.

Military insiders and observers said that more than a week after the announcement there was still no sign that the drill had begun.