China’s military has surrounded Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft in a show of force aimed at punishing the self-ruled island after its new president vowed to defend democracy. The two days of drills are part of an escalating campaign of intimidation by China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its rule, by force if necessary.
The drills, named “Joint Sword-2024A,” involve aircraft and ships surrounding the island to test their combat capabilities. Taiwan responded by deploying air, ground, and sea forces, with the island’s defense ministry vowing to “defend freedom.”
The latest show of force is seen as a “strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces,” according to China’s military. The drills come after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s new president and made an inauguration speech that China denounced as a “confession of independence.”
China has stepped up pressure on the democratic island of 23 million people, periodically stoking worries about a potential invasion. A Chinese military expert stated that the drills were partly aimed at rehearsing an economic blockade of the island, aiming to “strangle” Taiwan’s critical Kaohsiung port and impact its foreign trade.
World powers are closely monitoring the situation between China and Taiwan due to the vital role the island plays in the global economy. The United States, Taiwan’s most important ally, did not give an immediate official response to the drills, but US President Joe Biden has expressed support for defending Taiwan. The drills highlight the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, with the potential for further escalation in the region.