On the 23rd, China conducted a large-scale joint military exercise surrounding Taiwan involving land, sea, and air forces, as well as missile units. This comes just three days after the inauguration of the new President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army announced through its official social media account that the joint military exercise would take place for two days starting at 7:45 a.m. They conducted the training in a manner that surrounded Taiwan, including islands such as Kinmen and Matsu near mainland China.
According to a spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, they held the “Joint Sword-2024A” exercise around Taiwan, focusing on joint boundary patrols for combat readiness by the navy and air force, comprehensive control acquisition in the event of war outbreak, and precise joint strikes on key targets. The exercise also included testing real-life joint operational capabilities with warships and military aircraft moving simultaneously.
The purpose of the exercise was stated to be a strong response to separatist forces seeking Taiwan’s independence and a stern warning against external interference and provocations. Additionally, the Fujian Maritime Police of Fujian Province participated in law enforcement training using formation deployments in the seas near Wuchu Island and Dongyin Island, showing support for pressuring Taiwan.
This large-scale military exercise by the People’s Liberation Army surrounding Taiwan comes approximately nine months after a similar exercise. Last August, in response to Taiwan’s President Lai’s visit to the United States, China conducted a similar exercise, and in August 2022, they did so again when Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan.
Taiwan responded by mobilizing its military forces to confront China, with the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense calling China’s military exercise “irrational provocations that undermine regional peace and stability” and declaring readiness to respond using land, sea, and air forces to safeguard democracy and Taiwan’s sovereignty.