China’s military has commenced its second day of war games around Taiwan, with drills aimed at testing the ability to “seize power” and control key areas, according to a statement from the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These exercises come just days after Taiwan swore in a new leader.
The two-day exercises are focused on evaluating the “capability of joint seizure of power, joint strikes, and control of key territories,” stated Li Xi, spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, early on Friday.
China’s military began the war games on Thursday morning, encircling Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft, while vowing that the blood of “independence forces” on the island would flow.
The exercises—codenamed “Joint Sword-2024A”—follow the inauguration of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan’s new president, whose speech China condemned as a “confession of independence.”
These drills are part of China’s escalating campaign of intimidation, marked by a series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan in recent years.
The United Nations has called for all sides to avoid escalation, while the United States—Taiwan’s strongest ally and military supporter—has “strongly” urged China to exercise restraint.
‘Strong Punishment’ Taiwan split from China at the end of a civil war 75 years ago. Beijing considers the island a renegade province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland.
As the drills commenced, Beijing stated they would serve as a “strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.”
In a speech on Thursday afternoon, Lai declared he would “stand on the front line” to defend the island, without directly mentioning the ongoing drills.
China has repeatedly labeled Lai a “dangerous separatist” who would bring “war and decline” to the island.
Beijing was further provoked by Lai’s inauguration speech on Monday, in which he celebrated a “glorious” era for Taiwan’s democracy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin issued a stern warning on Thursday, using language typically found in Chinese state media.
“Taiwan independence forces will be left with their heads broken and blood flowing after colliding against the great trend of China achieving complete unification,” Wang told reporters.
The drills are occurring in the Taiwan Strait and to the north, south, and east of the island, as well as around the Taipei-administered islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.
