# cross-strait tensions
Latest news and articles about cross-strait tensions
Total: 3 articles found
Frigate at the Throat: PLA Patrols Tighten Grip on Taiwan’s Energy Lifelines as Taipei Expands Conscription
A recent confrontation off Penghu between a PLA frigate and a Taiwanese vessel highlights Beijing’s sustained maritime pressure on sea lanes that supply Taiwan’s major ports. Beijing’s stepped‑up air and naval activity has prompted Taipei to repurpose conscription into combat units, deepening domestic political strains while increasing the risk of miscalculation and economic disruption.
Taiwan’s Drone Mishap — Five-Second Failure Raises Questions About Readiness and Messaging
A Taiwanese military drone crashed within five seconds of launch on Jan. 29, 2026, and footage of the incident spread rapidly online and through mainland media. While technically likely to stem from propulsion, power or control-link failure, the episode has outsized significance for Taiwan’s deterrence posture, domestic politics and cross-strait information warfare.
Beijing Says Drone Flight Near Dongsha Was Lawful Training as Taipei Protests Incursion
Beijing says a PLA drone's flight within 12 nautical miles of Dongsha Island on January 21 was routine training and lawful, while Taipei condemned it as provocative and destabilising. The episode highlights the growing use of unmanned systems in cross‑strait grey‑zone operations and raises regional concerns about escalation and challenges to territorial norms.