China’s military launched a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday. Beijing says it was a warning to the “separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.” The exercise drew condemnation from the Taipei and Washington DC.
Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, had been on alert for more war games since last week’s national day speech by President Lai Ching-te. Lai’s address was condemned by Beijing after he said China had no right to represent Taiwan.
The China’s Eastern Theatre Command said the “Joint Sword-2024B” drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.
“The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity,” it said in a statement carried both in Chinese and English. In a parallel move on Monday, Beijing sanctioned a prominent Taiwan tech tycoon Robert Tsao and a lawmaker for separatist activities.
The command did not state when the drills would end.
It published a map showing nine areas around Taiwan where the drills were taking place – two on the island’s east coast, three on the west coast, one to the north and three around Taipei-controlled islands next to the Chinese coast.
Chinese warship formations, destroyers and aircraft are approaching Taiwan in “close proximity from different directions”, focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockading key ports and areas, assaulting maritime and ground targets, the command added.
A military announcement later confirmed that China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier and supporting ships were operating east of Taiwan.
However, it did not announce any live-fire exercises or any no fly areas. In 2022, shortly after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China fired missiles over the island.
Coast Guard Incursions Claim By Taiwan
In a major move, China’s coast guard circled Taiwan and staged “law enforcement” patrols close to islands of Matsu and Dongyin, entering the “restricted waters” of Matsu island for the first time to “completely tear up” boundaries set by Taipei, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
CCTV added that China “may carry out regular law enforcement patrols around Matsu in future.”
The defence ministry and coast guard said both agencies had dispatched their own forces while officials said Lai’s National Security Council met on Monday to discuss the situation.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te condemned the exercises and said they are “intended to undermine regional peace and stability and continue to coerce neighbouring countries by force.”
National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said China had ignored Lai’s message of goodwill
Blatant Provocations Says Taiwan
Taipei’s China policy making Mainland Affairs Council said China’s latest war games and refusal to renounce the use of force were “blatant provocations” that seriously undermined regional peace and stability.
Lai’s office said in a statement that China should face up to the fact of the existence of the Republic of China and respect the people of Taiwan’s choice of a free and democratic way of life.
It should “refrain from military provocations that would disrupt the status quo of peace and stability in the region, and threaten Taiwan’s democratic freedoms,” the statement said.
Team Bharatshakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
