On Monday, China initiated a highly significant military exercise named “Joint Sword 2024-B” around Taiwan, involving an extensive deployment of warships, aircraft—including the first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning—and a variety of naval and air assets. This exercise follows a major military drill assumed earlier in the year, intensifying the focus on Taiwan amidst increasing tensions between China and the self-governed island. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), through its Eastern Theater Command, articulated that these drills were part of a strategic examination of its joint operations capabilities, particularly regarding maritime and aerial assault readiness around Taiwan and its nearby islands. Chinese military officials described the exercise as a warning to Taiwan, asserting their readiness to execute “blockade on key ports,” “assault on maritime and ground targets,” and joint operational superiority.
China’s military activities came shortly after Taiwan’s National Day celebrations and were characterized by Chinese authorities as an attempt to thwart what they termed “Taiwan Independence” efforts. Taiwan responded with stern condemnation, labeling the military exercises as “irrational and provocative.” Taiwanese authorities are diligently monitoring the Chinese military’s actions; they reported significant incursions into their airspace, with the Ministry of National Defense stating that a total of 72 PLA aircraft were tracked in one day, marking a record for single-day incursions. The presence of 16 aircraft in Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) highlighted a robust show of force from China. This heightened military activity illustrates Beijing’s ongoing strategy to exhibit its military might and willingness to challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty.
During the drills, the Liaoning aircraft carrier task group was reportedly engaged in a variety of coordinated naval operations, testing its capacity for joint air support and live-fire exercises against sea and land targets. The carrier was noted to have docked with China’s other operational carrier just prior to the drills, underscoring the significance of the exercise. The PLA’s displays also included maps showcasing the encirclement of Taiwan, simulating blockades of critical ports, which served to reinforce China’s strategy of military intimidation and regional dominance. Such tactics are perceived as attempts to normalize China’s military presence in the region and to weaken the resolve of Taiwan through sustained psychological and military pressure.
China’s growing military assertiveness around Taiwan has raised alarms both on the island and among international observers. Taiwan’s response to the military drills articulated by President Lai Ching-te emphasized the island’s commitment to maintaining its democratic system and sovereignty against external aggression. While reiterating openness to dialogue and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, Lai stressed Taiwan’s determination to preserve its democratic values against encroaching authoritarian pressures from Beijing. This position reflects Taiwan’s broader approach to balance deterrence with diplomacy in response to China’s increasingly hostile military posture.
The “Joint Sword 2024-B” exercise denotes a continuation of the PLA’s prior military maneuvers earlier this year, particularly in light of Taiwanese President Lai’s inauguration, which Beijing perceives as a provocative moment. The scale and frequency of these military drills underscore a stark shift in the regional military landscape, with China increasingly employing its naval and aerial capabilities in demonstrations of force. The strategic imperatives driving these actions appear rooted in Beijing’s broader objectives concerning Taiwan—namely, to signal its readiness to use military means if necessary to achieve reunification.
In summary, China’s extensive military exercise surrounding Taiwan serves as a clear manifestation of its strategic calculus regarding the self-governing island. By elevating the frequency and scale of its military drills near Taiwan—evidenced by the pointed use of its aircraft carrier and increased aircraft sorties—Beijing aims to project power and assert its claim over Taiwan. Taiwan, confronted with these displays of military might, remains resolute in defending its democratic systems while navigating the complexities of cross-strait relations amidst ongoing provocations from China. These recent developments raise critical considerations regarding regional stability and the future trajectory of Taiwan-China relations, marked by an intricate balance of military readiness, strategic communication, and international diplomacy.