Taiwan is on high alert after a surprise joint drill that mocked encirclement of the Island early on Monday.
The Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement that the drill serves as a warning to Taiwan Independence’ forces engaged in separatist acts.
“On October 14, the PLA Eastern Theater Command dispatched its troops of army, navy, air force and rocket force to conduct joint military drills code-named ‘Joint Sword-2024B’ in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island,” the statement said citing Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesperson of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command.
Senior Captain Li Xi, noted, “With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint drills, focusing on subjects of sea-air combat-readiness patrol, blockade on key ports and areas, assault on maritime and ground targets, as well as joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, so as to test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command’s troops,” the statement continued.
Lai Qingde, the Taiwan administration’s head, stated on October 10 that Taipei’s efforts to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait are unchanged. The island will defend its “state sovereignty,” he said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded that “Taiwan has never been a country and will never become one, it has no kind of sovereignty at all.”
Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled there after their defeat in the Chinese Civil War.
On May 20, Taiwan held an inauguration ceremony for the island’s new leader, Lai Ching-te.
Three days later the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced the start of the Joint Sword 2024A exercise around Taiwan, as well as near the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin. The exercise involved land, missile, naval and air forces.
Beijing considers Taiwan a province of the People’s Republic of China.
