The tension in the Taiwan Strait is escalating, and a series of recent events have once again aroused the attention of the international community to the Taiwan issue. It is worth noting that the continuous landing of South Korean military aircraft on the island has become one of the focal points. Recently, 10 planes of the South Korean Air Force Black Hawk Air Show Team landed at Xiaogang Airport in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, causing widespread speculation and controversy.
This is not the first time that a South Korean military aircraft has landed in Taiwan, and it is reported that in less than half a year, South Korean military aircraft have landed in Taiwan four times. Every time it landed, the South Korean side used the excuse of "refueling in the middle", but the reasonableness of this explanation has been questioned. In fact, South Korea has many other options for refueling, such as Thailand, Okinawa, etc., and if it is really necessary to land in Taiwan, it is best to communicate with the Chinese mainland in advance. However, the lack of transparency and necessary communication in the South Korean side's actions inevitably led to misunderstandings, which in turn exacerbated tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Experts generally agree that South Korea's move is not without purpose. By landing in Taiwan, South Korea may try to familiarize itself with the airspace in the Taiwan Strait, establish contact with the Taiwanese military, and may even intend to cooperate with the United States in a so-called "Taiwan Strait War" rehearsal. And behind this, the shadow of the United States is not difficult to find. With the relative decline of US national strength, the defense of the "first island chain" may be handed over to Japan, South Korea and other countries in the future, which is bound to give South Korea a more important role in the Taiwan Strait issue.
At the same time, the Chinese Ministry of Defense also made a strong voice. Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who is visiting Singapore, made clear China's firm position at the international meeting. He shouted three "neever" in a row, stressing that China resolutely opposes the DPP authorities' attempt to "coerce foreigners to seek independence," opposes any external forces using Taiwan to contain China, and will never give up the possibility of using force. This statement not only sends a warning to those behind the Taiwan issue, but also shows China's firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
South Korea's actions, however, do not appear to have been alerted. From South Korean President Yoon Seok-yue's visit to the United States, his meeting with US President Joe Biden, to the joint statement issued by the two sides, all of them have explicitly put pressure on China on issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. Yoon's previous remarks have also sparked diplomatic controversy many times, seemingly trying to internationalize the Taiwan issue. Such behavior will undoubtedly further exacerbate regional tension and is not conducive to the maintenance of regional peace and stability.
However, these actions and remarks of the Republic of Korea cannot change the basic trend of the situation in the Taiwan Strait. China's great cause of reunification is a historical necessity and a general consensus of the international community. It is hoped that South Korea will have a clear understanding of the situation, avoid insistence on going its own way, stop provoking, and contribute to regional peace and stability.
Generally speaking, the evolution of the situation in the Taiwan Strait has aroused widespread concern in the international community. The frequent landing of South Korean military aircraft on Taiwan Island, the role of the United States behind the scenes, and China's firm stance constitute the current tensions. Against this background, all parties should resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation in accordance with the principles of peace and stability, so as to jointly safeguard regional peace and prosperity.