Beijing launches military maneuvers around Taiwan, which says it has deployed “adequate forces”

China launched military maneuvers on Monday with planes and ships around Taiwan, which for its part assured that it had deployed the “adequate forces” to answer it.

These exercises, called Joint Sword-2024B, aim to “test joint operational capabilities” troops, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced Monday morning.

Operations take place “in areas to the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan”said Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese army’s Eastern Command.

The maneuvers “focus on sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockade of ports and key areas”, “the assault of maritime and land targets” as well as “the joint acquisition of global superiority”added Mr. Li.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned in a statement a “irrational and provocative behavior”specifying having “deployed adequate forces to respond appropriately in order to protect freedom and democracy, as well as to defend sovereignty” the Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory to be reunited one day and has never renounced using military force to regain control.

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.

“Separatist”

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, Mr. Lai committed Thursday to “resist 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.

Beijing, which describes Mr. Lai as “separatist”reacted by warning that the « provocations » of the Taiwanese president would lead to a “disaster” for his people.

On Friday, the United States warned China against any « provocation » towards Taiwan.

“The whole world has every interest in maintaining peace and stability, in preserving the status quo, in avoiding any type of conflict likely to disrupt essential elements of the global economy”had underlined the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

On Monday, Beijing described the launch of these new exercises as “serious warning” facing the “separatist actions of the forces of +Taiwan independence+”.

“This is a legitimate and necessary operation to safeguard the sovereignty of the State and national unity”Captain Li Xi estimated.

Beijing has long tried to block contacts between Taipei and its international partners in order to isolate it, preventing it from participating in global forums and putting pressure on its rare official supporters.

Washington has recognized Beijing to the detriment of Taipei as a legitimate power since 1979, but remains Taiwan’s most powerful ally and its main arms supplier.

Disputes between Beijing and Taipei date back to the long and deadly civil war which pitted communist fighters led by Mao Tse-tung against the nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek.

Defeated by the communists, who founded the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, the nationalists of the Republic of China took refuge with many civilians in Taiwan, one of the only parts of the national territory then not conquered by the forces of Mao Tse-tung.