China Intensifies Pressure on Taiwan with Trade Allegations and Warplane Activity Ahead of Elections

Tensions escalated between China and Taiwan on Friday as Beijing initiated a trade barrier probe and deployed warplanes in the Taiwan Strait, just a month before the island's crucial elections. The move comes amid accusations from Taipei that Beijing is meddling in the electoral process, prompting calls for an end to what it terms "political operations."

The January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections are being held against the backdrop of China's persistent efforts to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan. The island's government and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have consistently accused China of interference, whether through military maneuvers or attempts to influence Taiwanese politicians to align with Beijing's preferences.

China's Commerce Ministry asserted that Taiwan had erected trade barriers in violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and a 2010 trade deal. According to the ministry, these barriers have adversely affected Chinese companies, though no specific countermeasures were announced, and the status of the investigation remains unclear.

In a separate statement, China's Taiwan Affairs Office defended the probe, describing the evidence as clear and the conclusions as objective and fair. The office expressed support for relevant authorities to take appropriate measures based on the investigation's findings.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's defense ministry reported the detection of 10 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers, conducting "joint combat readiness patrols" around the island. Taiwan termed this activity routine harassment, while China had previously extended its trade barrier investigation to coincide with the eve of Taiwan's elections, a move denounced by Taipei as election interference.

Responding to China's announcement of the investigation's conclusions, Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations rejected them as one-sided, inconsistent with facts, and in violation of WTO mechanisms and norms. The office called on China to cease its political operations immediately and emphasized the willingness to resolve disputes through existing WTO channels.

Taiwan's Economy Ministry highlighted Chinese barriers to Taiwanese exports, such as sudden bans on various aquatic and food products. The government is collaborating with Taiwanese companies to mitigate policy risks associated with China, including diversifying export markets.

As Taiwan's presidential frontrunner, according to polls, DPP's Lai Ching-te faces Chinese opposition, with Beijing considering him a separatist and rejecting repeated offers for talks. China's Taiwan Affairs Office insisted that Taiwan's elections were solely an internal Chinese matter, accusing the DPP of labeling any interaction between the two sides as election interference. Taiwan's government maintains its rejection of China's sovereignty claims, asserting the right of the island's people to determine their future.