HONG KONG (AP) – On Monday, China's military initiated joint military drills involving air, navy, and rocket troops around Taiwan, characterizing the activities as a “stern warning” against separatist movements and foreign interference. In response, Taiwan placed its armed forces on alert, condemning the Chinese government as "the biggest destroyer of peace."
The military exercises follow Beijing's recent ire towards U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and a statement by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, indicating that Japan could engage militarily if China acts against Taiwan. However, China's military statement did not mention the U.S. or Japan.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced via social media that rapid response exercises were being conducted with its forces on high alert to protect the island. The ministry affirmed that it had deployed appropriate military units to conduct combat readiness drills, reinforcing Taiwan's stance that the People's Liberation Army's exercises only underscore China’s role as an aggressor.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for China's Eastern Theater Command, noted that the drills would take place in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, focusing on sea-air combat readiness and the ability to gain comprehensive superiority while enforcing blockades on key ports. This exercise marked the first large-scale drill publicly linked to “all-dimensional deterrence” beyond the island chain.
Shi articulated that the military activities served as a “stern warning against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interference,” emphasizing that they are necessary to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.
Since the Chinese Civil War in 1949, China and Taiwan have been governed separately, with the Communist Party in Beijing establishing rule after the Nationalist Party retreated to Taiwan. Despite operating independently, the mainland continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory.
The command reported the use of fighter jets, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles in conjunction with long-range rocket launches to target mobile ground installations during the drills on Monday. These actions aimed to evaluate the military's capacities for precision strikes on essential targets.
Furthermore, major military exercises are planned for Tuesday, with live firing scheduled between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., covering five areas around Taiwan. Illustrative posters aimed at messaging the drills were shared online, featuring imagery of military assets alongside slogans implying any foreign interlopers would be dealt with severely.
In the previous week, China imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives following the announcement of substantial U.S. arms sales to Taiwan exceeding $10 billion. If approved by U.S. Congress, this would constitute the largest weapon package ever offered to Taiwan.
U.S. federal law mandates support for Taiwan’s defense, a contentious topic in Sino-American relations. The U.S. and Taiwan maintained formal diplomatic ties until 1979, when President Jimmy Carter’s administration shifted recognition to Beijing.
The tension heightened as Taiwanese President’s office spokesperson Karen Kuo stated that China’s military operations threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait and the larger Indo-Pacific region. She criticized China for undermining international norms and employing military intimidation against neighboring nations.
In recent years, Beijing has escalated its military activities near the island, frequently sending warplanes and naval vessels toward Taiwan. This past October, the Taiwanese government accelerated plans for the “Taiwan Shield” air defense system in anticipation of further threats from China.
Notably, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently expressed hopes that the Taiwan Strait would be associated with peace rather than turmoil, highlighting the ongoing conflict and its impact on regional security.
