The Economist.
Chinese pilots fly military aircraft near Taiwan almost every day.
But before 2020, they used to avoid crossing the median line,
a de facto border in the middle of the Taiwan Strait.
In recent years, that line has been erased.
The PLA gradually increased its median line crossings
from just a handful of planes a few times a year
to more than 3,000 crossings in 2024.
It's an example of how China used grey zone aggression to create a new normal.
And now, China is working on the next step.
In April, the PLA launched major military exercises around Taiwan.
It sent fighter jets and warships to surround the island,
held live fire missile drills, and announced that it was practicing a blockade.
Drills like these are becoming regular.
With these mock blockades, China is sending a clear signal.
That if Taiwan dares to reject unification,
then China has a capacity to cut the island off from the world.
And the consequences would be dire.
I am Alice Su, The Economist senior China correspondent.
And I am joined by Anton La Guardia, our diplomatic editor.