Beijing Escalates with Second Round of Missile Tests and Naval Exercises

Beijing dramatically escalated its military intimidation campaign against Taiwan on August 15-25, 1995, with a second round of missile tests accompanied by the PLA Navy’s largest exercises in the Taiwan Strait since the 1950s.

Expanded Military Operations

Missile Component

Four more DF-15 missiles fired
Target area: East of Taiwan in Pacific Ocean
Demonstrated ability to bracket the island
Implicit threat to shipping lanes

Naval Exercises

Over 40 vessels participated
Simulated blockade operations
Anti-submarine warfare drills
Amphibious assault preparations

Air Operations

Fighter sweeps near median line
Bomber flights from mainland bases
Electronic warfare missions
Helicopter assault exercises

Strategic Messaging

The coordinated operations sent multiple messages:

To Taiwan

“Your democracy cannot protect you from military force”

Elections won’t change strategic reality
Economic prosperity depends on Beijing’s goodwill
International support has limits

To United States

“We will fight to prevent Taiwan independence”

Testing U.S. intervention threshold
Demonstrating improved PLA capabilities
Warning against security guarantees

To Region

“China’s rise includes military dimension”

Challenging U.S. security architecture
Asserting regional dominance
Warning against supporting Taiwan

Democratic Taiwan’s Response

Military Readiness

Forces placed on highest alert
Air defense systems activated
Naval patrols increased
Civil defense preparations initiated

Political Unity

Democracy showed remarkable cohesion:

All major parties condemned Beijing
Legislative campaign continued normally
No calls for appeasement
Increased defense budget support

Public Resilience

Tourism declined but no panic
Stock market volatility managed
Media coverage remained free
Civil society organized support rallies

International Escalation

U.S. Response

Clinton administration took measured steps:

Nimitz carrier group moved closer
Private diplomatic warnings intensified
Public statements carefully calibrated
Congress demanded stronger response

Japanese Concerns

Defense Agency raised readiness
Concerns about refugee flows
Economic disruption fears
U.S. base importance reinforced

ASEAN Worries

Called for peaceful resolution
Feared regional instability
Economic impacts assessed
Quiet diplomatic initiatives

Authoritarian Escalation Logic

Beijing’s actions reflected authoritarian decision-making:

Doubling Down - When initial intimidation fails, increase pressure
Face Saving - Cannot appear weak after threats
Internal Politics - PLA hardliners demanding action
Information Control - Domestic audience sees only strength

Economic Warfare Intensifies

Beyond military threats:

Trade Pressures

Key Taiwan exports delayed at customs
Investment projects suspended
Business leaders pressed to lobby Taipei
Tourism restrictions imposed

Financial Markets

Taiwan dollar under pressure
Foreign investment slowing
Credit ratings reviewed
Regional market contagion

Miscalculating Democracy

Beijing’s authoritarian lens created blind spots:

Expected Results

Voters would choose safety over democracy
Business pressure would force policy change
U.S. would prioritize China relationship
Regional states would abandon Taiwan

Actual Outcomes

Rally-around-flag effect in Taiwan
Increased international sympathy
U.S. military planning accelerated
Regional concerns about China grew

Media Coverage Contrast

Taiwan’s Free Press

Detailed military analysis
Diverse opinion pieces
Government criticism allowed
International perspectives shared

China’s State Media

Uniform propaganda message
No questioning of policy
Military glorification
Taiwan demonization

Preparing for Further Escalation

Signs pointed to continued crisis:

PLA units remaining mobilized
Propaganda campaign intensifying
Diplomatic isolation efforts increasing
March 1996 presidential election looming

Historical Significance

The August 1995 exercises demonstrated:

New Era - Military coercion as standard tool against Taiwan
Democracy Tested - Free society under authoritarian pressure
Regional Impact - Cross-strait tension affects all Asia
Systemic Clash - Incompatibility of political systems

Beijing’s military escalation revealed the fundamental challenge: an authoritarian regime attempting to coerce a democratic society into submission, failing to understand that military threats often strengthen rather than weaken democratic resolve.