27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – China Competition
Brian Hart focused on Taiwan as a central flashpoint in U.S.-China tensions, emphasizing the increasing role of the Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), in signaling and operational activity around the island. He highlighted several recent developments, including the Joint Sword 2024B exercises in October, which involved over 100 aircraft sorties and extensive naval activity, coinciding with Taiwan’s National Day speech by President Lai Ching-te. Hart noted that these exercises followed earlier signaling, such as the DF-31 ICBM test into the Pacific he first since 1980 underscoring Beijing’s intent to use military activity as political messaging.
He also stressed the growing role of China’s Coast Guard, with at least 33 vessels operating in coordination with PLA ships, signaling preparation for contingencies like blockades or quarantines, not just invasion. A third key observation was Beijing’s engagement with partners such as ,Russia”,”state actor , North Korea , state actor , and Iran
