China’s military drills around Taiwan are not just affecting the country’s military. They are also disrupting everything from flights to shipping lanes, meaning everyday Taiwanese people across the country are feeling its effects. Lery Hiciano tells us more. 

REPORTER:

Domestic flights from Taipei’s Songshan Airport to outlying islands cancelled – the most visible consequence of China’s latest military drills around Taiwan.  

Officials say cancellations have already affected 6,000 passengers, and that number is only going to grow.  

Feelings at the airport on Tuesday morning were mixed.  

TRAVELER:

I’m from Penghu!  I want to go home!  But having to face threats just to go home is a very bad thing.  The two sides are very opposed to each other because both governments have their own positions.  So things are a bit tense at the moment and we ordinary people hope that cross-strait relations can ease a little. 

TRAVELER:

Actually, it’s fine. I haven’t really paid much attention to the situation.  There have already been lots of drills so I’ve kind of gotten used to it. I’m not very worried about them.  

TRAVELER:

I don’t really understand much about it  but I’ve seen a little bit of news  and I’m a little worried.  

All I know is that drills started recently  and that they surround Taiwan  or something like that. 

REPORTER:

It’s not just commercial flights. Shipping lanes have also been disrupted. On Taiwan’s East Coast, fisher vessels were stuck in port, leading to some to call for compensation for lost income.  

Even as China’s military surrounds the country, President Lai Ching-te has said Taiwan would not provoke confrontation or escalate tensions, though the military has deployed units to monitor the situation.  

The drills are set to end Tuesday evening, but the Chinese military has already said they achieved their desired results.  

BRYCE BARROS, GLOBSEC ASSOCIATE FELLOW:

What it basically says to me is that the PLA recognizes that this is not just about Taiwan. It's about being able to fully implement whatever anti-access, area denial sort of operations they want to be able to do. 

The Taiwan aspect of it and trying to coerce Taiwan, that's a massive deal. But the, the signaling towards we're not going to allow the United States and allies or whomever else wants to get in to get into what is the area around Taiwan is big. 

REPORTER:

From Taipei to Washington –  all eyes are on the Taiwan Strait and China’s sudden moves. But for many in Taiwan, they just want life to go back to normal.  

Alex Chen and Lery Hiciano, for TaiwanPlus.