China has launched comprehensive military exercises around Taiwan

China initiated a comprehensive military exercise surrounding the candidate it besieged three days after Taiwan’s new leader Lai Ching-te took office. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command announced that joint military exercises were launched around the northern, southern, and eastern parts of the island in the Taiwan Strait, including the Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islands starting at 07:45 local time. Spokesperson Li Xi stated that the exercises, named ‘Joint Sword-2024A’ and lasting for two days, involved units from navy, air force, ground, and rocket forces, focusing on joint sea-air combat readiness, joint combat area seizure, and joint precise attacks on key targets. Li mentioned that the exercises also included integrated operations inside and outside the island chain to patrol and test the real combat capability of the units in the areas around Taiwan. Spokesperson Li emphasized that the exercises also served as a ‘strong punishment against Taiwan’s independence actions and a stern warning against the intervention and provocation of external forces.’ China’s military released a photo showing that the exercises were conducted in a way to besiege Taiwan, including islands close to China’s coast for the first time.
Reaction from Taiwan did not delay regarding China’s military exercise surrounding the island. The Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan stated that naval, air, and ground forces were sent to ‘defend the sovereignty of the island.’ The statement criticized China for significantly damaging global peace and stability with continuous harassment by Chinese aircraft and ships. It was mentioned that this military exercise not only fails to contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait but also reveals the aggressive militaristic mindset of the Chinese army. The Presidential Office of Taiwan expressed that China resorting to unilateral military provocations to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and freedom is ‘regrettable.’ It was emphasized that Taiwan’s military units and national security team comprehensively address the situation and are confident and capable of defending democracy and national security against external challenges and threats, urging the public to remain calm.
On the other hand, the Beijing administration previously labeled Taiwan’s new leader Lai Ching-te, who took office on May 20 and expressed words asserting Taiwan’s independence, as ‘separatist’ and ‘troublemaker.’ The sovereignty dispute between China and Taiwan continues as Beijing claims Taiwan as part of China while Taiwan asserts itself as an ‘independent country.’ China aims to connect Taiwan to China under the pretext of ‘peaceful reunification’ and expresses its willingness to use force in this regard. Beijing also considers other countries establishing official contacts with Taiwan as a ‘violation of sovereignty.’