Beijing launched military maneuvers around Taiwan this Monday, October 14. These exercises, called Joint Sword-2024B, aim to “test the joint operational capabilities” of the troops, said the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
China launched military maneuvers this Monday, October 14, aimed at encircling Taiwan by deploying planes and ships, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced. “These exercises constitute a stern warning against the separatist acts of Taiwan’s ‘independence forces’,” we read in a press release.
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry condemned in a statement “irrational and provocative behavior”, specifying that it had “deployed the adequate forces to respond appropriately with the aim of protecting freedom and democracy, as well as to defend the sovereignty” of Taiwan.
Taiwanese army “on alert”
China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, to be retaken by force if necessary.
Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years by strengthening its military activity around the island, maintaining a near-constant presence using military planes and ships.
China has organized three series of large-scale maneuvers in the past two years, using its air force and navy to encircle the island, which is managed autonomously. On Sunday, the Taiwanese army claimed to be “on alert” after detecting the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning to the south of the island.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been terrible since 2016 and the arrival as Taiwanese president of Tsai Ing-wen, then of her successor Lai Ching-te in 2024.
Invested in May, Lai Ching-te pledged this Thursday to “resist the Chinese annexation” of the island or “the encroachment of (its) sovereignty”, on the occasion of the Taiwanese national day.
He also expressed his wish to have “healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges” with China, calling on Beijing to use its influence instead to help resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
