PLA Conducts Joint Sword-2024A Drill: Defending Sovereignty Near Taiwan Strait

The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carried out the Joint Sword-2024A military exercise around the Taiwan Strait on May 23-24. This large-scale drill, involving land, sea, and air forces, was described as a \"punishment against separatist acts by 'Taiwan independence' forces\" and a \"stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces.\" According to the PLA, the exercise was a legitimate action to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, aligning with the expectations of compatriots across the Straits and international friends supporting China’s reunification efforts.

Media reports indicate that the PLA has already normalized its surveillance patrols in the Straits, reflecting the goodwill of the Chinese mainland. The Joint Sword-2024A exercise was a direct response to provocative remarks made on May 20 by Lai Ching-te, the new leader of the Taiwan region. Lai asserted that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland \"are not subordinate to each other,\" promoted the idea of \"relying on the U.S. to resist China,\" and advocated for \"seeking independence through military means.\"

The PLA emphasized that the Joint Sword-2024A military exercise was entirely reactive, similar to the drills conducted in August 2022 following a controversial visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Contrary to claims by Lai’s camp and the U.S., the drill was not intended to disrupt the status quo but to prevent any destabilization of the current situation in the Taiwan Strait.

The PLA described the Joint Sword-2024A drill as both reasonable and moderate. In response to Lai's remarks, compatriots on both sides of the Straits and the international community expressed strong indignation. They reaffirmed the principle that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation and condemned Lai’s \"two states\" theory. Additionally, there were calls for the mainland to take strong measures to punish Lai’s attempts to \"seek independence.\" The PLA's drill was conducted in response to these strong calls from patriotic and unifying forces.

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Joint Sword-2024A military drill both legitimate and justifiable

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