China’s recent military drills around Taiwan have sparked outrage and condemnation from Taipei, with the self-ruled island calling it a “blatant provocation to the international order”. The two-day war games, dubbed “Joint Sword-2024A”, were seen as a direct challenge to Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The drills came just three days after Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te took office and delivered a speech that China deemed as a declaration of independence. Beijing, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory, views Lai as a “dangerous separatist”.
In response to the military exercises, Taiwan’s presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the region, stating that China’s actions undermine the status quo and trigger serious concern from the international community.
Despite having its own government and military, Taiwan faces constant pressure from Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Chinese military analysts reported that the recent drills involved simulated strikes targeting Taiwan’s leaders, ports, and airports, signaling a clear message of intimidation.
As tensions escalate between China and Taiwan, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. Taiwan has called on China to consider the well-being of both sides and refrain from further military provocations. The standoff between the two sides continues to raise concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further conflict.