The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) commenced joint military drills around Taiwan at 7:45 am (local time) on Thursday, according to Xinhua. These exercises are taking place in the Taiwan Strait and the northern, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan Island, as well as around the Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islands.
Li Xi, spokesperson for the Theater Command, stated that various military branches, including the army, navy, air force, and rocket force, are participating in the joint drills, code-named Joint Sword-2024A, from Thursday to Friday. Li mentioned that the drills are focused on gaining comprehensive battlefield control, conducting joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, and executing joint precision strikes on key targets. He noted that the exercises include the patrol of vessels and aircraft in proximity to Taiwan and integrated operations both within and outside the island chain, aimed at testing the joint combat capabilities of the command’s forces.
The spokesperson emphasized that these drills are a severe response to the separatist actions of “Taiwan independence” forces and serve as a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces, Xinhua reported. The presence of Chinese military assets near Taiwan highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Taiwan has consistently expressed concerns about China’s military maneuvers and its intentions to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, potentially by force, according to the Xinhua report.
For decades, the median line of the Taiwan Strait served as an informal boundary between China and Taiwan. However, China’s military has increasingly crossed this line with aircraft, warships, and drones since former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. On Wednesday, the Taiwan Ministry of Defence (MND) reported the presence of Chinese military vessels near its waters.
According to the ministry’s statement, seven People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were operating around Taiwan until 6 am. Taiwan’s Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) monitored the situation and responded as necessary. The MND’s statement read, “7 PLAN vessels and 4 CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces has monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
Recently, Taiwan’s newly sworn-in President Lai Ching-te issued a stern warning to China, urging Beijing to halt its intimidation of the island nation. In his inaugural address, Lai called on Beijing “to cease their political and military intimidation against Taiwan, share with Taiwan the global responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as well as the greater region, and ensure the world is free from the fear of war.” Lai’s remarks came after he took office on Monday, marking the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) historic third consecutive term, CNN reported.