South China Sea: China and Taiwan military conflict may happen sooner

China and Taiwan have increasingly been at odds with each other in recent years due to Beijing’s insistence that the island nation is part of the mainland. An Australian Senator has recently warned that the South China Sea could see military conflict between the two nations a lot sooner rather than later.

Australian Senator Jim Molan warned that a military conflict between China and Taiwan in the South China Sea may happen sooner than expected. With China taking a more aggressive approach in claiming both Taiwan and the South China Sea as its territory, it has also complained that US Navy ships are patrolling close to the islands it occupies in the disputed waters. Senator Molan added that in case of military conflict, the surrounding countries and their allies in the west appear to be armed and ready.

“There is a concern it might happen sooner than later,” said Senator Molan on Sky News Australia. “For example, I say a scenario is certainly possible because everyone is armed. I say that it’s likely because not only are people armed but certain parties particularly China have been very aggressive and are arming themselves even more. But I don’t say it’s inevitable and that’s very important. We’ve got to remain positive in this.”

The Chinese Navy has also been reportedly building up off the coast of Taiwan, with the chances of invading the island likely in the next three to four years, according to presenter Andrew Neil on ITV’s “This Morning.”

It should also be noted that Taiwan has often criticized the constant invasion of Chinese air force vehicles in its airspace.

Meanwhile, China’s defense ministry announced that its aircraft carrier, the Shandong, has finished its first public military drill in the South China Sea. The Shandong is the second aircraft carrier by the Chinese Navy after the Liaoning, which is already deployed in a different region of the disputed waters. Chinese Navy spokesperson Gao Xiucheng said that the military drill for the Shandong included maneuvers, communications, field training, and coordination.

Back on May 2, Gao said that the military drills were legitimate and can bolster the country’s efforts to maintain its sovereignty and its interests. China claims to have a historical ownership of almost the entire South China Sea, which has already been strongly opposed by the surrounding countries and by international law.