Chinese Military Drills Near Taiwan Prompt Concerns of Escalation

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is currently engaged in joint military exercises, named Joint Sword-2024A, in the vicinity of Taiwan from May 23 to 24. Multiple vessels have assembled in the designated maritime region, swiftly positioning themselves for combat, with primary and support weaponry such as guns, missiles, and other systems primed for rapid deployment. / Source: CGTN

Chinese state television CGTN recently reported that numerous Chinese fighter jets have carried out simulated strikes around Taiwan, carrying live missiles. These maneuvers, described as a response to perceived separatist actions by Taiwan's Independence forces, have raised regional tensions. Taiwan, in turn, has mobilized its military forces in response to these drills.
The timing of these military exercises is significant, as they occurred just days after Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, assumed office. President Te has urged mainland China to cease such threatening actions, which Beijing perceives as a challenge to its authority over Taiwan.
President Ching-te's recent remarks, particularly referring to Taiwan as the Republic of China, have been interpreted by Beijing as provocative, signaling Taiwan's intent for independence. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and denounces Ching-te as a "separatist," decried his inauguration speech on Monday, in which he urged Beijing to stop its threats and said the two sides of the strait were "not subordinate to each other."
When comparing these drills to Beijing's previous military posturing, Experts note a significant escalation. These exercises mark the first time China has explicitly simulated various stages of armed invasion against Taiwan, including blockade operations and assault operations on offshore islands. The "Joint Sword 2024A" exercise suggests a potential series of further drills, raising concerns of continued escalation.

Map Attribute: CGTN News and English Intepretation by Indo-Pacific News / Source: X
Over the past four years, China's military has conducted near-daily operations around Taiwan, with significant war games held near the island in 2023 and 2022. A senior Taiwan official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that this time, China is essentially "putting a name" on its routine activities rather than significantly escalating them. These drills involve crossing the strait's median line, previously an unofficial boundary, and conducting simulated attacks on Taiwanese and foreign vessels, the official added.
Assessing the risk of further escalation, many experts suggest that while immediate military action isn't imminent, the possibility of additional exercises remains. Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at Taiwan's premier military think tank, the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, noted that while the drills were only scheduled to last two days, their scope was considerable compared to previous exercises as they included Taiwan's outlying islands. He explained that this was intended to showcase China's capability to control the seas and deter foreign forces from intervening. "The political messages here outweigh the military ones," he added. However, China's future actions will depend on various factors, including Taiwan's response, international reactions, particularly from the United States, and the impact on regional security and stability.
From Taiwan's perspective, the focus is on observing China's actions to better prepare for any potential conflict. While a concrete solution remains elusive, Taiwan's security apparatus is closely monitoring the situation to adapt its strategies accordingly. The international community watches closely as tensions persist, hoping for diplomatic resolutions to de-escalate the situation. However, with both sides unwilling to back down, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further military posturing and heightened regional tensions.
With reporting by DW News and Reuters.

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