World powers make moves in Indo-Pacific region

China deployed 24 fighter jets to Taiwan on Thursday in a show of strength amid international interest in the region. The country also rejected a port call from Germany to allow a frigate into their waters to perform maneuvers. French naval assets are in the Indo-Pacific region for exercises, and a British carrier strike group will be in the area for the next several months. Taiwan deployed its own air force patrol to monitor the Chinese fighter jets.

Why the focus on the Indo-Pacific? A Chinese spokesman officially said the country is committed to diplomacy, but Beijing called the United States’ recent nuclear submarine agreement with Australia irresponsible, predicting it would disrupt regional peace. China also opposed a U.S. arms sale to Taiwan last month. The country has historically rejected Taiwan’s independence and has been building up military outposts and sending military flights to the area since January.

Dig deeper: Read Mindy Belz’s column about the possible geopolitical effects of the  United States’ new Indo-Pacific approach.