The Chinese mainland's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has initiated Joint Sword-2024A military drills in the Taiwan Strait, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. Launched on Thursday, the exercises span the northern, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan Island, as well as the surrounding areas of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islands.
This substantial military maneuver follows closely after Lai Ching-te's forceful inaugural speech as the new leader of Taiwan authorities, which emphasized a pro-independence stance. The PLA's response underscores the Chinese mainland's commitment to maintaining territorial integrity and showcases the PLA's readiness to engage in real combat scenarios.
Enhancing Combat Readiness
Joint Sword-2024A stands out for its increased scale and complexity compared to previous drills. The exercises focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, comprehensive battlefield control seizures, and precision strikes on key targets. The drills cover a wider geographic area, including coordinated patrols by vessels and aircraft around Taiwan Island, and integrated operations both inside and outside the island chain.
Notably, this marks the first instance of the mainland's coast guard vessels entering the waters around Wuqiu and Dongyin islands. Official maps indicate that these vessels approached within 2.8 nautical miles of Wuqiu and 3.2 nautical miles of Dongyin, effectively challenging the Taiwan authorities' claims of restricted waters.
The escalation in military activities sends a clear message to Lai and external forces that any pursuit of \"Taiwan independence\" will face unwavering opposition from the Chinese mainland. The PLA's enhanced drills aim to deter further provocations and reinforce the mainland's strategic posture in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
