CHINA mobilized fighter planes and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday (October 14), claiming the maneuvers were intended to send a “stern warning” to “separatist” forces on the self-ruled island.
Beijing has not ruled out utilizing force to take control of Taiwan, and Monday’s drills are the fourth set of large-scale war games in the last two years.
The US called on Beijing to act with moderation, saying China’s moves were “unwarranted” and risked “escalation”.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, appears to be more outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty, infuriating Beijing, which refers to him as a “separatist”.
On Monday, Lai vowed to “protect democratic Taiwan and defend national security,” and the defense ministry announced it had transported “appropriate forces” in reaction to the drills.
On Monday, AFP photographers watched 12 fighter jets take off from the Hsinchu Air Force Base in northern Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that outlying islands overseen by Taipei were on “heightened alert” and that “aircraft and ships will respond to enemy circumstances in line with the engagement rules”.
Beijing stated that the exercises acted as a “stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces”.
According to Captain Li Xi, a spokeswoman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, the drills, known as Joint Sword-2024B, are designed to test forces’ “joint operations capabilities”.
They are taking place in “areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island,” he said.
The drills “focus on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, blockade on key ports and areas,” Li stated.
They also practiced “assault on maritime and ground targets”.
According to Li, the Liaoning aircraft carrier group “with its troops of army, navy, air force, and rocket force” was also involved.
The last large-scale drills, staged in May, three days following Lai’s inauguration, were dubbed “Joint Sword-2024A” and lasted two days.