Danny Jia was taking a stroll down a street near Taiwan’s Taoyuan city when he heard the sound of gunfire coming from the nearby Guanyin beach. The 249th mechanised infantry brigade of the Taiwanese armed forces was conducting military drills at the beach, which is considered one of Taiwan’s “red beaches”, strategically important in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Jia expressed concern about the possibility of a future war with China and the impact of the military drills. However, recent events in the Chinese military, including the removal of several high-ranking officers, have left him feeling less certain about the likelihood of conflict.
Analysts have noted the impact of the purges on the morale and fighting spirit of the Chinese military. Despite this, they believe that Beijing’s long-term goal of taking over Taiwan remains unchanged. The recent appointment of Dong Jun as China’s defense minister reflects Beijing’s push to become a maritime power and annex Taiwan, according to expert Christina Chen.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about continuing pressure from Beijing on Taiwan, with President-elect William Lai Ching-te being labeled a separatist and tensions continuing to rise. The ongoing purges within the Chinese military have been described as a tool used by President Xi Jinping to secure loyalty and root out corruption.
Although the purges may have a negative impact on the Chinese military’s capabilities, observers like Alfred Wu believe they will continue under the government’s pursuit of loyalty and control. Despite the uncertainty, many, including Jia, hope that the purges will ultimately contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.