Taiwan: High Tensions over Chinese Army Drills
The operation is seen as a “warning” after Lai Ching-te took office
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting joint military exercises around the island of Taiwan. The planned two-day exercise is organized by Beijing after the inauguration of new President Lai Ching-te on May 20.
According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, the force includes 49 aircraft in addition to Navy, Army, and missile forces, which were used to conduct simulated strikes against sensitive targets. Military spokesman Li Xi explained that the goal is to “test real combat capabilities through sea and air combat training patrols, seizing the entire battlefield and precision strikes on key targets.”
The name of the operation is Joint Sword-2024A and represents, according to the Chinese newspaper Global Time (Huanqiu shibao), “a warning to belligerent outside forces after the separatist inaugural speech of Taiwan’s regional leader.”
“We have sent sea, air, and land forces to respond: to defend Taiwan’s freedom, democracy, and sovereignty,” explained the Ministry of Defense in Taipei, where the Chinese operation was defined, as “an irrational provocation and a breach of peace and regional stability.”