Source: WION
Context: China has launched its largest military drills in the Taiwan Strait, with the PLA’s Shandong aircraft carrier conducting operations east of Taiwan, escalating regional tensions.
About Taiwan Strait:
- What is the Taiwan Strait?
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- A narrow sea passage separating Taiwan Island from mainland China’s Fujian Province.
- Considered a geopolitical hotspot due to cross-strait tensions and international naval presence.
- Location: Connects the South China Sea (south) with the East China Sea (north).
- Bordering Nations: People’s Republic of China (PRC) and
- Major Geographic Features:
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- Part of the continental shelf of Asia.
- Rivers like the Min and Jiulong drain into the Strait from China’s Fujian Province.
- Major underwater bank lies north of Penghu Islands.
- Strategic and Geopolitical Importance:
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- A key flashpoint in US-China-Taiwan relations
- Vital sea route for global trade and naval operations
- Frequent site of military exercises, surveillance, and naval deterrence activities
