China’s naval deployment in line with other major exercises, US official tells Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – China’s naval deployments in the East China Sea and South China Sea have increased but are in line with other major exercises in the past, a U.S. military official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The assessment contradicted statements from Taiwan that described the deployment as the largest in nearly three decades.

“PRC military activity has increased in the region, in line with levels we have seen during other major exercises,” the official said, using the country’s official name, the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese military has yet to comment and has not confirmed that it is conducting exercises.

China, which claims Taiwan is democratically governed as its own territory because of its rejection of the island, was expected to launch the exercises to express its anger over President Lai Ching-te’s Pacific tour that ended on Friday, which included stops in Hawaii and the territory USA of Guam.

But the US official did not link the deployment to Lai’s travels.

“We see no activity in the East China Sea and the South China Sea in response to President Lai’s transit,” the official said.

“This activity is part of a broader increase in PLA military posture and military exercises over the past few years.” These activities are destabilizing and risk escalation.”