China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday. The drills are part of Beijing’s efforts to send a “stern warning” to what it describes as “separatist” forces on the self-ruled island. This military maneuver marks the fourth round of large-scale war games conducted by China in the past two years.
The United States criticized China’s actions as “unwarranted.” U.S. officials warned that such military activity risks escalating tensions in the region. They urged Beijing to exercise restraint in its dealings with Taiwan.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, has adopted a more vocal stance on defending Taiwan’s sovereignty. This approach has angered Beijing, which labels him a “separatist.” On Monday, Lai vowed to protect “democratic Taiwan” and safeguard national security. The Taiwanese defense ministry confirmed it dispatched “appropriate forces” in response to the drills.
AFP journalists stationed near the Hsinchu air force base in northern Taiwan reported seeing 12 fighter jets take off on Monday. The defense ministry stated that outlying islands controlled by Taiwan were on “heightened alert.” It also emphasized that “aircraft and ships will respond to enemy situations in accordance with the engagement rules.”
The Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command characterized the drills, named Joint Sword-2024B, as a test of troops’ “joint operations capabilities.” Spokesman Captain Li Xi indicated that the exercises are taking place in areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island. The focus includes sea-air combat readiness and blockades of key ports.
China’s coast guard was also deployed for “inspections” around Taiwan. A diagram released by the coast guard illustrated four fleets encircling the island. The coast guard in Fujian, the closest mainland province to Taiwan, announced that it was conducting “comprehensive law enforcement patrols” near the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands. Although Taiwan reported the presence of four formations of Chinese coast guard ships, it confirmed they had not entered restricted waters.
In recent years, China has increased military activity around Taiwan, regularly sending warplanes and maintaining a near-constant naval presence. Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that all personnel are on full alert amid these threats.
Following the drills, Lai convened a high-level security meeting. Joseph Wu, secretary-general of the National Security Council, labeled the exercises as “inconsistent with international law.” In a speech marking Taiwan’s National Day, Lai emphasized the need to resist any annexation by Beijing and asserted that Beijing and Taipei are “not subordinate to each other.”
Beijing insists that the drills are necessary for “safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity.” The Taiwanese defense ministry reported detecting 25 Chinese aircraft and seven navy vessels around the island over a 26-hour period.
Lieutenant Colonel Fu Zhengnan from the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences warned that the drills could escalate into combat at any moment. He stated that if Taiwan separatists provoke China, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will take immediate action.
Taiwan’s coast guard detained a Chinese man on one of its outlying islands, citing a possible “grey zone intrusion.” This term refers to tactics that stop short of direct warfare.
Despite the escalating tensions, residents in Taipei appeared largely unfazed during the morning rush hour. Benjamin Hsiao, a 34-year-old engineer, commented, “I won’t panic too much because they quite often have drills. It’s not the first time in recent years anyway, so I feel a bit numb.”
The historical conflict between China and Taiwan dates back to a civil war, when nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after being defeated by Mao Zedong’s communist fighters in 1949. Since then, the two regions have operated under separate governments.
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