China commenced two days of extensive military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday, mere days after Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan's new president. These maneuvers, labeled as "punishment" for what Beijing terms "separatist acts," highlight the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) began the exercises at 7:45 a.m. local time, involving coordinated actions by the army, navy, air force, and rocket force. These drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding areas, including the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.
Taiwan's military responded promptly by scrambling jets and putting missile, naval, and land units on high alert. The island's Defense Ministry condemned the exercises, stating, "China's irrational provocation has jeopardized regional peace and stability." The ministry emphasized that Taiwan seeks no conflict but will not shy away from defending its sovereignty.
In his inauguration address earlier this week, President Lai Ching-te called for an end to Beijing's military intimidation. "Facing external challenges and threats, we will continue to maintain the values of freedom and democracy," Lai asserted during a visit to a marine base in Taoyuan. He reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing while maintaining Taiwan's current status and avoiding conflicts that could draw in the United States and other regional partners.
China's military exercises are seen as a direct response to Lai's inauguration. The PLA's Eastern Theater Command described the drills as a "strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces" and a "stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces." Chinese state media have extensively covered the drills, emphasizing their purpose and showcasing military capabilities.
The exercises involve joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations both inside and outside the island chain. These actions are intended to test the PLA's "joint real combat capabilities," according to the command's official statements.
President Lai's inauguration has clearly been a flashpoint. Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which views Taiwan as a de facto sovereign nation, has long been a thorn in Beijing's side. Despite repeated calls for dialogue, Beijing has dismissed these overtures, labeling Lai as a dangerous separatist. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned Lai's inaugural speech, calling his actions "disgraceful" and asserting that nothing can stop China from achieving "reunification."
The reaction in Taiwan to the drills has been one of resilience and preparedness. "This pretext for conducting military exercises not only does not contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but also shows its hegemonic nature at heart," Taiwan's Defense Ministry declared.
The geopolitical implications of these exercises are significant. Speaking from Australia, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, the deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, urged nations in the Asia-Pacific region to condemn China's actions. "Just because we expect that behavior doesn't mean that we shouldn't condemn it, and we need to condemn it publicly," Sklenka stated.
Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, visiting Washington, underscored the shared values between Japan and Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, a crucial waterway for global shipping. "Taiwan is our extremely important partner," Kamikawa said, highlighting the close economic and diplomatic ties.
The latest drills follow a pattern of Chinese military posturing around Taiwan. In August 2022, China conducted large-scale live-fire exercises following a visit by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, which Beijing vehemently opposed. Those exercises, unprecedented in scale, lasted four days and marked a significant escalation in military tensions.
The current situation is exacerbated by political dynamics within Taiwan. Protests erupted outside Taiwan's legislature as the opposition Nationalist Party, generally seen as pro-China, attempted to push through legislation affecting military budgets and key appointments. The Nationalist Party condemned Beijing's actions, calling for restraint and an end to unnecessary maneuvers.
