Taipei strongly condemned China for launching a military exercise near the island of Taiwan on October 14, 2024. The drill, dubbed "Joint Sword-2024B" by China, has been described by MOFA as a provocative action that challenges the rules-based international order and undermines regional peace and stability.
In a statement released by Taipei, it urged Beijing to "pull back and immediately cease its military provocations." The statement emphasized that this action comes despite recent efforts by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to extend an olive branch across the straits, although Beijing believes that the recent presidential election in what it considers a renegade province means a shift away from reconciliation, and considers unification a top priority.
President Lai, in his recent National Day address, had called for China to "act responsibly and work with Taiwan to maintain the prevailing state of peace, stability, and prosperity." However, MOFA notes that China appears to have disregarded this goodwill gesture.
"China remains determined to intimidate the people of Taiwan through military exercises and is attempting to threaten Taiwan's democracy," the MOFA statement read. It accused China of "unilaterally disrupting the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region."
The Chinese military held large-scale exercises around Taiwan and its outlying islands, involving multiple forces, aircraft, and ships, including the Liaoning aircraft carrier and J-15 fighter jets. The Ministry of Defense in Beijing announced that Chinese planes and ships were deployed around the island, with maps published by Chinese state media indicating its forces were positioned around the whole island.
Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, said all branches of the military, including the navy, army, air force, and rocket force, were mobilized for the drills, which were designed to simulate attacking Taiwan by land, sea, and air. The exercises are described as a "decisive warning" to those seeking "independence" for the island.
The drills this week involved troops from the Chinese army, navy, air force, rocket force, and other forces to test their joint operational capabilities, including close sea-air patrols to enhance combat readiness. The Eastern Theater Command released a video titled "Prepared for Battle" on social media, serving as a warning to Taiwan's independence forces and featuring footage of fighter jets and warships positioning themselves.
The exercises were timed to coincide with Taiwan's National Day celebrations, during which President Lai Ching-te emphasized Taiwan's right to self-determination and asserted that China has "no right" to represent Taiwan. In his National Day speech, Lai declared his commitment to "resist annexation or encroachment" by Beijing.
In response to China's military maneuvers, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense activated "appropriate troops" to "defend freedom and democracy" and protect its sovereignty. The ministry condemned China's military exercises as "irrational and provocative," asserting its preparedness to respond. It dispatched forces to respond without providing details and added that outlying islands were put on high alert.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry deployed its mobile missile and radar groups on land to track the vessels at sea and has also deployed warships to designated spots in the ocean for surveillance against Chinese aggression. As of Monday morning, the ministry had tracked 25 Chinese warplanes, seven warships, and four Chinese government ships, though it did not specify what types of ships they were.
Taiwan's Presidential Office called on China to "cease military provocations that undermine regional peace and stability and stop threatening Taiwan's democracy and freedom." The Taipei government described China's military drills as an "open provocation" and "blatant provocations" that seriously undermine regional peace and stability, asserting its preparedness to respond to what it labeled as a serious threat.
Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, said at a forum in Taipei, "Our military will definitely deal with the threat from China appropriately," acknowledging the increasing pressure on Taiwan. He added that threatening other countries with force violates the basic spirit of the United Nations Charter to resolve disputes through peaceful means.
China's Defense Ministry stated that the drills were a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's refusal to acknowledge Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China and to concede to Beijing's demands. Senior Captain Li Xi stated, "This is a major warning to those who back Taiwan independence and a signifier of our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty."
