BEIJING/TAIPEI. China initiated large-scale military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday, termed as “punishment” drills in response to what it described as “separatist acts” by newly inaugurated Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Heavily armed warplanes conducted mock attacks as state media denounced Lai, labeling him a “separatist.”
The exercises took place in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan-controlled islands near the Chinese coast, just three days after Lai assumed office. Beijing, which views Taiwan as its territory, reacted sharply to Lai’s inaugural speech where he called for an end to threats and asserted that the two sides are “not subordinate to each other.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Lai as “disgraceful” on Tuesday. Despite Lai’s repeated offers for talks, China has consistently rebuffed him, maintaining that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future and rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command announced the commencement of joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force, and rocket force at 7:45 a.m. (2345 GMT). The exercises, named “Joint Sword – 2024A,” cover areas around Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin, marking the first inclusion of these regions in such drills.
State media reported the deployment of dozens of fighter jets with live missiles and mock strikes on high-value military targets, supported by warships. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed the presence of 15 Chinese navy ships, 16 coast guard vessels, and 33 aircraft, but noted no live fire drills near Taiwan.
The drills are scheduled to run for two days. Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned the exercises, stating it had deployed forces around the island, with air defenses and land-based missile systems tracking targets, affirming confidence in protecting its territory. “The launch of military exercises on this occasion not only does not contribute to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, it also highlights (China’s) militaristic mentality,” the ministry stated.
Taiwan’s presidential office expressed regret over China’s “unilateral military provocations,” emphasizing that Taiwan could ensure its security. “I have confidence in the military,” President Lai reassured at a military base in Taoyuan, near Taipei.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV criticized Lai’s speech as “extremely harmful,” asserting that China’s countermeasures are “legitimate, legal, and necessary.” CCTV added that Taiwan’s future should be decided by China’s 1.4 billion people, not Taiwan’s 23 million.
Chinese military activity near Taiwan has been frequent over the past four years, with large-scale war games staged in 2023 and 2022. A senior Taiwan official, speaking anonymously, remarked that this time China was essentially formalizing its regular activities rather than dramatically escalating them.
The drills focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations within and outside the island chain to test the forces’ “joint real combat capabilities,” according to China’s military. The exercises are intended as a strong punishment for Taiwan independence activities and a warning against external interference.
Despite the drills, there was no sign of panic in Taiwan. The stock market index closed up 0.3% on Thursday, and a central bank official reported normal foreign exchange market operations with no abnormal capital movements. In contrast, China’s live-fire exercises in August 2022 following a visit by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were unprecedented in scale and lasted four days, followed by additional drills.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
