China recently completed two days of war games around Taiwan, in which they simulated attacks with bombers and practiced boarding ships. The drills, known as “Joint Sword – 2024A,” involved a surge of Chinese warplanes and warships. These exercises were launched three days after Lai Ching-te became Taiwan’s president, which Beijing views as a provocation due to Lai being labeled a “separatist” by China.
The drills were seen as a response to Lai’s inauguration speech, in which he asserted that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other, leading China to interpret this as a declaration of separate countries. Lai has expressed willingness to engage in talks with China, but has been consistently rebuffed. He maintains that Taiwan’s people have the right to determine their own future and rejects China’s claims of sovereignty over the island.
During the war games, 46 Chinese military planes crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which has previously been an unofficial boundary between the two sides. Additionally, 27 navy ships were detected in the area. The aircraft involved in the exercises included advanced fighters and nuclear-capable bombers. Footage released by Taiwan’s defense ministry showed interactions between Taiwanese air force planes and Chinese fighters and bombers, though the exact location was not specified.
China has been increasing military activities around Taiwan in recent years, with large-scale war games being conducted in both 2022 and 2023. The People’s Liberation Army Daily, a media outlet associated with China’s military, issued a statement warning Taiwan against pursuing independence and reinforcing China’s determination to thwart separatist efforts. The commentary emphasized that the PLA would take decisive action to counter any separatist plots.
Despite China’s military posturing, Taiwan’s government remains defiant and has condemned the war games as an attempt to intimidate the island. Taiwan has reiterated its commitment to defending its sovereignty and independence from Chinese aggression. The ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan reflect the complex and longstanding political and military dynamics in the region, underscoring the challenges of managing disputes over Taiwan’s status.
