Taiwan Scrambles Fighter Jets Amid Chinese Military Drills
China has initiated new military exercises off the coast of Taiwan, which it claims are a response to Taiwanese President William Lai’s recent statements emphasizing the island’s determination to resist annexation and protect its sovereignty.
The self-governing island has been under increased military scrutiny from China, which asserts it as its territory. President Xi Jinping has made it clear that China intends to reclaim Taiwan, using force if deemed necessary.
On Monday, Taiwan’s defense sources reported the detection of 34 naval vessels and 125 aircraft engaging in maneuvers around the island. Chinese state media projected images indicating that military forces encircled Taiwan entirely.
According to the Chinese military, the ongoing drills involve coordinated efforts from all branches of the People’s Liberation Army, simulating comprehensive assaults against Taiwan by land, sea, and air. In reaction, President Lai announced the deployment of Taiwanese forces to monitor developments and ensure they remain vigilant.
Despite the heightened military presence, Taiwan’s airports and ports continued normal operations. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry criticized China’s actions, reaffirming its commitment to avoid direct confrontations that could exacerbate tensions, while maintaining a state of high alert on its outlying islands.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed the ongoing military exercises, asserting that simulated attacks and port blockades were part of their maneuvers. They labeled Taiwanese independence as fundamentally incompatible with regional peace.
The Chinese coast guard later shared a symbolic post highlighting the route of their patrols, shaped like a heart, amidst the ongoing exercises.
Since 2022, China has conducted numerous large-scale military drills near Taiwan, with its fighter jets frequently breaching Taiwanese airspace. The latest exercises, named Joint Sword 2024-B, had been anticipated since earlier drills in May, which were described by Beijing as unprecedented in scale. These military actions coincided with President Lai’s inauguration, underscoring perceptions of him as a proponent of Taiwan’s independence.
China’s escalating military rhetoric and maneuvers have raised alarms. While these drills are framed as routine, the proximity of Chinese forces and the aggressive posturing signal heightened tension in the region.
The US government has condemned the military exercises, asserting that there is no justification for China’s actions following what it characterized as a normal address by President Lai. The US encouraged China to refrain from actions that might destabilize regional peace.
The strained relationship between China and Taiwan dates back to 1996, following Taiwan’s first direct presidential elections, which provoked military responses from China, including missile tests. The period from 2008 to 2016 saw a temporary de-escalation, but tensions have surged since the election of Taiwan’s current government, led by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.
The situation further intensified in late July 2022 when a high-profile US official visited Taiwan, prompting China to conduct extensive military drills, including missile launches over the island—a historically unprecedented act.
