The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China completed its Joint Sword 2024B military exercises around Taiwan on Monday, as announced by a Chinese military spokesperson. These joint army, navy, air force and rocket force exercises near the island prompted Taipei to hold an emergency national security meeting. During this meeting, officials urged Beijing to respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the drills and called on China to exercise self-restraint and refrain from undermining regional stability. Meanwhile, the island’s Defense Ministry stated that it would deploy its own forces in response.
Li Xi, a spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Zone Combat Command, shared with South China Morning Post that the Joint Sword 2024B exercises were conducted to the north, south and east of Taiwan, demonstrating the high potential for joint actions of all branches of the Chinese army. These military exercises are meant to serve as a stern deterrence against separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.
The PLA stated that the drills were legitimate and necessary operations to safeguard state sovereignty and integrity, with Monday’s exercises focusing on “sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockades of key ports and areas, assaults on maritime and ground targets, as well as joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, testing the joint operations capabilities of the theater command’s troops.
Taipei reported that “25 PLA aircraft, seven PLA Navy vessels, and four official ships” had been operating around Taiwan on Monday morning. The island’s government said it had deployed aircraft, naval vessels and missile systems in response to the Chinese military maneuvers.
Beijing has repeatedly stressed that it considers self-governing Taiwan an integral part of China under the One-China principle. While China prefers a peaceful unification, it reserves the right to use force if Taipei seeks independence, particularly with outside assistance.