The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is holding a big military exercise around Taiwan simulating a blockade. The exercise comes just three days after Lai Ching-te a strong proponent of Taiwanese independence took over as the President of the country. The PRC had called the election a ‘choice between war and peace’. Lai, also known as William Lai, who has called himself a pragmatic worker for Taiwan’s independence, stated that he would keep Taiwan’s independence safe from China’s pressure.
The PRC has stated that the two-day joint exercise titled Joint Sword 2024A ‘serves as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces’. The Chinese also warned external forces against interference and provocation. The exercise is being held by China’s Eastern Theatre Command and involves ships and aircraft to test ‘joint combat capabilty’.
Drills are being conducted by China to the north, south, east and west of the island nation. Most of the areas notified for the drills are located inside Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). China is also holding drills around Taiwanese islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Dongyin which are near the Chinese coast.
China has been raising tensions in the area for well over a week before the inauguration of the Harvard University masters degree holder’s inauguration. In his inauguration address William Lai urged China to stop intimidating the island which has a population of 2.3 crore people. Lai had also asked the PRC to work hard with Taiwan to maintain peace and stability in the region. China has in the past called Lai a ‘troublemaker’ and a ‘dangerous separatist who will bring war and decline to Taiwan’.
China had in August 2022 held a massive exercise around Taiwan during the visit of a top U.S. delegation. During that exercise, which lasted four days, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China fired missiles over Taiwanese territory.
Taiwan has put its armed forces on alert in light of the Chinese exercise.
Dhruv Yadav
