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The Taiwan region's latest military drills, framed as a "necessary" measure to boost "Immediate Combat Readiness," underscores a troubling trajectory under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities: a calculated attempt to edge the island toward "independence" through sustained military buildup and confrontation.

By amplifying perceptions of an imminent "threat" and emphasizing military readiness, the DPP authorities seek to normalize a state of heightened tension. This manufactured sense of crisis serves dual purposes: consolidating domestic political support and strengthening ties with external actors who view Taiwan as a strategic lever in broader geopolitical competition.

Such an approach is fraught with risk. Stable cross-Strait relations are sustained through adherence to the one-China principle. By contrast, the DPP, since coming to power, has repeatedly tested the limits and systematically distanced itself from political foundations that maintain cross-Strait stability, inching toward a more confrontational posture under the guise of "defensive" necessity.

This has contributed directly to the erosion of mechanisms that previously helped manage differences and prevent escalation. The recent military drills were conducted against this backdrop. While framed as "defensive" in nature, they form part of a broader pattern of actions that collectively signal a more confrontational stance.

Increased defense spending, expanded military training, and closer security coordination with external powers all point in the same direction: a deliberate attempt to recalibrate the status quo. In doing so, the DPP is not reacting to tensions – it is generating them.

The drills fully expose the DPP authorities as the "fundamental source stoking cross-Strait confrontation and triggering tensions and turbulence across the Strait," Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday.

The DPP's reckless moves will only bring disaster and ruin to Taiwan.

To begin with, it is worth questioning whether the DPP's "defensive" attempts can genuinely enhance security: Military drills, especially those conducted with increasing frequency and scale, risk increasing the likelihood of conflict. Military strength alone cannot guarantee safety, particularly in a context as complex as cross-Strait relations.

True security lies in reducing the likelihood of conflict. By emphasizing "deterrence" at the expense of dialogue, the DPP risks overlooking the fundamental principle that stability is best preserved through communication and mutual understanding.

Equally concerning is the DPP's reliance on external backing to bolster its position. By aligning more closely with certain Western powers, the DPP authorities seem to believe that its security guarantees can be outsourced. This miscalculation not only underestimates the complexities of international politics but also exposes the island to the dangers of becoming a pawn in great power rivalry. History offers ample evidence that smaller actors often bear the highest costs when geopolitical tensions escalate.

The economic implications of this militarized approach should not be overlooked. Taiwan's prosperity has long been rooted in stability, openness, and integration within regional supply chains. Persistent tensions threaten to undermine investor confidence and disrupt trade flows. The very resilience that has defined Taiwan's economic success could be eroded if political decisions continue to prioritize confrontation over cooperation.

In this context, the DPP's role as a driver of tension becomes evident. Rather than acting as a stabilizing force, it has repeatedly adopted policies and rhetoric that heighten divisions. This includes not only military signaling but also political narratives that emphasize separation and identity divergence.

While the people of Taiwan are anticipating peace and development, the DPP is steering the region in the opposite direction, toward uncertainty, confrontation, and heightened risks.

The author Jianxi Liu is a Beijing-based political and international relations analyst. She writes on topics about the US, the EU, and the Middle East.

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