In the past five years, People’s Liberation Army activity near Taiwan has been seen by many observers as a key indicator of when and whether a conflict that may involve the world’s two most powerful militaries could erupt. Over that period, Chinese military drills have been getting larger and edging closer to the island. They include what the PLA has described as increasingly “combat-oriented” exercises that more closely resemble what might happen in the event of a real blockade or war. Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, warned last year that such manoeuvres amounted to “rehearsals” for an…
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