China began a series of large-scale military exercises around the island this Thursday, in an unprecedented show of force that raises tension in the region. According to state media, the maneuvers called “Joint Sword 2024A” will last two days and will involve naval, air and missile deployments in and around the Taiwan Strait.
The military action was announced by the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), covering not only the waters and airspace around Taiwan, but also areas near the controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin. for Taipei.
According to Colonel Li Xi, Chinese military spokesman, the joint exercises involving troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Corps represent “strong punishment for the separatist acts of the Taiwan independence forces.” ‘” and a “stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces.”
A new president in Taiwan
This escalation in tensions comes just three days after the new Taiwanese president, William Lai Ching-te, took office with a speech in which he urged Beijing to “end its intimidation” over the island, which China claims it as an inseparable part of its territory. The statements of Lai, whom Beijing considers a “troublemaker” and a “separatist,” set off alarms in the Asian giant.
Before the start of the Chinese maneuvers, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense announced that it had placed its army on “high alert,” calling Beijing’s actions “irrational provocations that disrupt regional peace and stability.”
For his part, Lai Ching-te reaffirmed his commitment to “defend the values of freedom and democracy in the face of external challenges and threats,” assuming his “responsibility to protect the country” as Commander-in-Chief of the Taiwanese Armed Forces.
The international community also expressed concern about the escalation. Australia warned of the “increasing risk of an accident and possible escalation” due to Chinese military operations, while analysts such as Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund said Beijing was seeking to counter what it sees as an attempt to promote a global narrative on “Taiwan independence”.
These unprecedented exercises, surrounding Taiwan from all directions, represent a stern warning from China and a display of its military power, unlike the island. Although Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to achieve “reunification,” these maneuvers raise the risk of an unwanted incident in one of the most tense areas on the planet.
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With information from: CGTN, Xinhua and Al Jazeera
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