China’s army and coast guard have surrounded the main island of Taiwan in large-scale exercises that they say are a warning against “separatist acts”, following a recent speech by Taiwan’s president.
State media linked Monday’s drills to a National Day speech by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te last Thursday in which he reiterated that the People’s Republic of China “n ‘has no right to represent Taiwan’, but was willing to work with it to maintain peace and stability.
On Monday, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said all branches of the military were approaching Taiwan by sea and air. The joint exercises would focus on preparing for sea and air combat, blockade of ports and key areas of Taiwan, as well as assaults on sea and land targets, said Capt. Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Command .
“This exercise also serves as a stern warning of the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces,” Li added.
Meanwhile, China’s coast guard, which is separate from the military but under the same command body, also announced “law enforcement patrols” around the main island of Taiwan. The routes bypassed the main island of Taiwan and were described as “a practical action to control the island of Taiwan in accordance with the law based on the one-China principle.”
The People’s Liberation Army did not say when the maneuvers would end, nor did it announce live fire or no-fly zones. The maps provided show nine areas declared for the exercises, including six large areas near Taiwan’s major ports.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council called Monday’s exercises “blatant provocations” that seriously undermine regional peace and stability. The Foreign Ministry urged Beijing to “step back from the brink,” while the president’s office urged Beijing to accept the “goodwill” expressed in Lai’s speech. The president’s office urged Beijing to accept the “goodwill” expressed in Lai’s speech and said Lai had called a national security meeting to respond.
In Washington, Biden administration officials said they were monitoring the exercises and had no justification following Lai’s “routine” speech.
“We call on the PRC to exercise restraint and avoid any further actions that could undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region, which is essential for regional peace and prosperity and constitutes a matter of international concern,” the State Department said. said spokesman Matthew Miller, using the initials of China’s official name.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has declared Taiwan a Chinese province and urged it to accept what he calls “peaceful reunification.” But the majority of Taiwanese citizens and Parliament reject it. In response, Beijing has intensified military exercises and raids on Taiwan’s air defense zone, as well as cognitive, technological and economic wars and massive disinformation campaigns. US intelligence says Xi has instructed the military to be capable of invading Taiwan on a large scale in 2027.
Analysts considered Lai’s National Day speech to be more restrained than his inauguration speech in May. David Sacks of the Council on Foreign Relations said Friday that if China responds aggressively, “Lai may conclude that there is little to be gained from restraint and may adopt more explicit rhetoric on cross-strait relations.” “.
This Monday’s maneuvers, codenamed Common sword 2024B, They were eagerly awaited by observers. The exercises Common Sword 2024A They were launched after Lai took office, and the “A” suffix suggested there would be more this year.
The People’s Liberation Army regularly holds military exercises and at least one or two a year focus on an invasion or blockade of Taiwan. These military exercises require considerable preparation, but are usually linked to speech or action in Taiwan that Beijing considers provocative.
Military analysts have warned that each new round of exercises demonstrates strategic improvements or an escalation by the PLA toward Taiwan, even if firepower appears to be less.
Last month, China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time since the 1980s. The missile landed in the South Pacific near French Polynesia, sparking concern among Pacific nations.
Last week, China also participated in joint exercises with Russia. On Monday, Russian state media said the two armies were continuing anti-submarine gunnery exercises in the northwest Pacific.
