The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has commenced the Joint Sword-2024A military drills in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. The exercises began on Thursday, just three days after Lai Ching-te’s inaugural speech as the new leader of the Taiwan region.
The drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait, as well as the north, south, and east of the island of Taiwan. They also encompass areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin. The PLA’s activities are a demonstration of its readiness to safeguard China’s territorial integrity and showcase its capability to operate under real combat conditions.
Enhanced Military Exercises
The Joint Sword-2024A drills represent a significant escalation compared to previous exercises. The scale is larger, focusing on joint sea-air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets. The operations involve patrols by vessels and aircraft in close proximity to the island of Taiwan and integrated maneuvers both inside and outside the island chain.
Notably, this is the first time that mainland coast guard vessels have entered waters around Wuqiu and Dongyin islands. Official maps indicate that these vessels are operating approximately 2.8 nautical miles off Wuqiu and 3.2 nautical miles off Dongyin, challenging the notion of so-called restricted waters imposed by the Taiwan authorities.
Context of the Drills
The timing of the drills is seen as a direct response to Lai Ching-te’s recent speech, which was perceived as advocating for “Taiwan independence.” The exercises serve as a strong signal to both Lai and external forces that any move towards “Taiwan independence” is a dead end. The PLA’s actions underscore the mainland’s firm stance on maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The increased scale and scope of the drills reflect a heightened level of preparedness by the PLA. Military analysts suggest that the exercises are designed to send a clear message about the mainland’s capabilities and resolve in the face of what it considers provocative actions by the Taiwan authorities.
Regional Implications
The military activities have drawn attention from neighboring countries and the international community. There are concerns about escalating tensions in the region and the potential impact on cross-strait relations. Observers are closely monitoring the situation for any further developments.
The Taiwan authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the drills. However, the increased military presence around the island is likely to have significant implications for regional security and stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
