Examining PLA actions in and around Taiwan through the lens of psychological operations adds a dimension to the debate that enhances US military planners and foreign policy experts’ understanding of PRC intentions.īefore delving into military actions around Taiwan, an explanation of psychological operations is useful. While capabilities, plans, and tactics are extremely important, the role of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) psychological operations is often overlooked and underappreciated. The debate over what to do about Taiwan typically gravitates toward military capabilities, operational plans, and tactics. In response, US military planners and foreign policy experts should maintain the strategically ambiguous nature of US–Taiwan relations and increase awareness of PLA psychological warfare.Īs the United States has transitioned into strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), much has been written about Taiwan as a flashpoint for conflict. The PLA’s use of Taiwan and airpower as historical symbols, synchronization with current events and global media attention, and targeting of a strategic opportunity with the Taiwan Relations Act indicate PLAAF incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ from 1 to 4 October 2021 were psychological operations designed to divide and deter the United States from defending the island. Analyzing record-setting incursions through the lens of psychological operations provides this opportunity. Therefore, US military planners and foreign policy experts should discuss and interpret the purpose and intent behind PLA actions. 2 PLA demonstrations of this magnitude were clearly designed to deliver a message. 1 Moreover, a single force package on 4 October included 52 aircraft and set a record as the largest single incursion in history. During this four-day period, the PLAAF flew a record-setting 149 sorties into Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. This article presents People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from 1 to 4 October 2021 as a case study in PLA psychological operations. Examining PLA actions in and around Taiwan through the lens of psychological operations adds a dimension to the debate that enhances US military planners and foreign policy experts’ understanding of PRC intentions. The debate surrounding Taiwan typically gravitates toward military capabilities, operational plans, and tactics, while the role of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) psychological operations is often overlooked and underappreciated. Please contact us for subscription options.As the United States transitioned to strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), much has been written about Taiwan as a flashpoint for conflict. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last US House Speaker to travel to Taiwan, in 1997.Īnadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. The US does not recognize Taiwan as a separate nation but has economic and defense ties with the island. Her trip was met with angry responses from China, which launched military drills and planned four days of exercises surrounding the island.īeijing considers Taiwan its “breakaway province” and has strongly urged other nations to avoid direct relations with Taipei - which enjoys independent diplomatic ties with at least 14 nations. Pelosi is on a four-nation trip to Asia and flew late Tuesday to Taiwan from Malaysia - a first trip to the self-ruled island by a sitting US House Speaker in 25 years. The flights were conducted hours after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to the island. The statement on Twitter said military patrol planes and air defense missile systems followed the aircraft and radioed warnings. on August 3, 2022,” referring to the Republic of China, the official name of the island. The Taiwan Defense Ministry said on Twitter that the "27 PLA aircraft (J-11*6, J-16*5 and SU-30*16) entered the surrounding area of R.O.C. The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) reportedly sent in 27 fighter jets Wednesday to the region that Taiwan has designated as an Air Defense Identification Area (ADIZ).
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