China Concludes Military Drills Near Taiwan Amid Heightened Tensions

China wraps up its latest military exercises near Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional security as tensions between Beijing and Taipei continue to rise.

A spokesperson for the Chinese military stated on Monday that the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) has completed its Joint Sword 2024B military exercises surrounding Taiwan.

The combined exercises involving the army, navy, air force, and rocket force near the island that began earlier today led Taipei to hold a national security meeting. During this meeting, they called on Beijing to “respect the choice of a democratic and free way of life made by the Taiwanese people.”

The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry criticized the drills and urged Beijing to exercise “self-restraint and refrain from undermining regional stability.” Meanwhile, the island’s Defense Ministry announced it would deploy its own forces in response.

According to a statement from Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Zone Combat Command, as reported by the South China Morning Post, the Joint Sword 2024B exercises around Taiwan were “successfully completed.” These operations took place north, south and east of Taiwan and showcased strong potential for coordinated actions among all branches of China’s military.

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The Chinese military had also claimed that the exercises aimed to act as a “stern deterrence against separatist activities by Taiwan independence forces” and were deemed a “legitimate and necessary operation to protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The PLA noted that the exercises conducted on Monday involved drills centered around “sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockading critical ports and areas, attacking maritime and ground targets, as well as jointly achieving comprehensive superiority. These activities were designed to test the joint operational capabilities of the theater command’s forces.”

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry reported that on Monday morning, “25 PLA aircraft, seven PLA Navy vessels, and four official ships” were operating around the island. In response, Taipei said it deployed aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems.

Beijing has consistently emphasized that it views the self-governing island of Taiwan as an integral part of China under the One-China principle. The Chinese government has also cautioned that, although its preference is for peaceful reunification, it retains the right to employ force should Taipei pursue independence, especially with foreign support.