China begins military drills around Taiwan as punishment after inauguration

On Tuesday morning, China began a two-day military exercise “around the island of Taiwan” as a “severe punishment” for “separatist acts” in the region, state media announced.

Taiwan, for its part, called the Chinese military exercises an “irrational provocation.” “We have deployed sea, air and land forces to respond (…) and to defend the independence, democracy and sovereignty of this autonomous region claimed by Beijing,” the island’s defense ministry said.

“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army began military maneuvers around the island of Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday,” the official Xinhua press agency reported.

“The drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait, north, south and east of Taiwan Island, as well as areas around Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin islands,” he said.

According to the agency’s news, Chinese military spokesman Li Xi assured that these maneuvers are a severe punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence Forces’ and a serious warning against interference and provocation by external forces.

The drills, named Joint Sword-2024A, follow the inauguration on Monday of Lai Ching-te as the island’s new president of an autonomous and democratic government.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has described Lai as a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and collapse” to the region.

Military spokesman quoted

Lee said the exercise “will involve ships and aircraft patrolling areas around Taiwan Island and integrated operations within and outside the island chain to test the combined actual combat capabilities of the command forces.”

Taiwan’s new president inaugurated

In January, Lai Ching-te won the presidency with 40% of the vote, followed by Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang Party (33.49%) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (26.46%).

He was inaugurated on 20 May and his inaugural address was seen as a challenge to Beijing.

He wanted to “convey to the international community that the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation with sovereignty in the hands of the people.”

He also called on China to end its political and military intimidation against the island. “I hope China will face up to the reality of the Republic of China’s existence, respect the decisions of the Taiwanese people, and choose dialogue instead of confrontation in good faith,” he warned.

According to experts, the content of the speech will change diplomatic conventions between Taiwan and China.

According to Lorenzo Magziorelli, a professor of international relations at Javeriana University, there are certain formulas or language that Taiwan should use in the political environment. First, talk about Taiwan not as a country, but as the Republic of China. Second, when you want to refer to Taiwan you can say “the island” or “the people of Taiwan.” Third, handle the China issue in accordance with the terms defined by the Constitution of the Republic of China. “Those are subtle things, but very important,” Magziorelli said. Read more about: Speech by the President of the island of Taiwan that aims to change the “status quo”

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