China began new military drills off the coast of Taiwan on Monday, labeling them as “punishment” for a speech by Taiwan’s President William Lai, in which he vowed to “resist annexation” and protect Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai’s remarks, made during a speech on Taiwan’s National Day, have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which views the self-governing island as part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to reclaim it by force if necessary.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported detecting 34 Chinese naval vessels and 125 aircraft in formations around the island on Monday. Chinese state media released maps indicating that military forces were stationed around the entire island. The drills, which were concluded later in the day, simulated attacks on Taiwan by land, sea, and air, according to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, stated that the exercises were aimed at testing the joint operational capabilities of China’s military forces. Despite the large-scale drills, Taiwan’s airports and ports continued to function normally, with the Taiwanese government focusing on avoiding direct conflict.
Escalation of Military Tensions
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the drills included simulations of military assaults and port blockades, reiterating its stance that Taiwanese independence is “incompatible” with peace in the region. The drills were officially named “Joint Sword 2024-B” and were widely anticipated following a similar exercise, “Joint Sword 2024-A,” conducted in May.
These drills mark the latest in a series of military exercises China has held near Taiwan since 2022. Beijing has frequently sent fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace and conducted naval patrols near the island in an effort to assert its claim over Taiwan. While China views Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as advocates for Taiwanese independence, it has described Lai’s recent remarks as escalating tensions with “sinister intentions.”
The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, condemned China’s drills, calling them an overreaction to Lai’s routine speech. Washington urged Beijing to refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region and disrupt peace.
Historical Context of China-Taiwan Tensions
China’s military intimidation of Taiwan dates back to 1996, following Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. At that time, China declared multiple areas around the island as off-limits and fired ballistic missiles into the sea surrounding Taiwan. In response, then U.S. President Bill Clinton discreetly deployed U.S. Navy forces to the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate U.S. support for Taiwan’s security.
The situation between China and Taiwan saw a period of relative calm between 2008 and 2016, but tensions reignited when DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen was elected president of Taiwan. Beijing, which views the DPP as a pro-independence party, cut off direct communication with Taiwan’s government, a standoff that persists to this day.
A significant flare-up occurred in August 2022 when then U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, marking the highest-level visit by a U.S. official in 25 years. Beijing viewed Pelosi’s visit as a provocation, responding with large-scale military exercises and launching ballistic missiles over the island for the first time.
The latest drills, though not a new occurrence, reflect the continuously strained relations between China and Taiwan, with both sides seemingly locked in a tense stalemate over the island’s future.
