China launches large-scale military drills around Taiwan after President Lai’s National Day speech | China

China's military and coast guard have surrounded the island of mainland Taiwan as part of a large-scale drill following the president's recent speech as a warning against “separatist acts.”

State media linked Monday's drills to last Thursday's National Day speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-de, who said the People's Republic of China “does not have the right to represent Taiwan” but is prepared to cooperate to preserve it. I have repeatedly stated that there is. peace and stability.

On Monday, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced that all branches of the military were approaching Taiwan by sea and air. The joint exercise will focus on naval and air combat readiness, blockading Taiwan's major ports and areas, and attacking maritime and ground targets, said Eastern Theater spokesman Senior Capt. Li Xi. It is said to become.

“This exercise also serves as a stern warning against secessionist actions by 'Taiwan independence' forces,” Li added.

At the same time, the China Coast Guard, which is separate from the military but under the same command, announced “law enforcement patrols” around Taiwan's main island. The illustrated patrol route encircles Taiwan's main island and is described as a “practical action to control the island in accordance with the law based on the one-China principle.”

The People's Liberation Army did not say when the training would end, nor did it announce any live fire or no-fly zones. A map provided showed nine declared areas for the exercise, including six large areas near Taiwan's major ports.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Commission condemned Monday's drill as a “blatant provocation” that seriously undermines peace and stability in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Chinese government to “retreat from the brink,” and the presidential office urged the Chinese government to accept the “goodwill” expressed in Lai's speech. Mr. Rai announced that he had convened the National Security Council to respond to this.

In Washington, Biden administration officials said they were monitoring the drill following Lai's “classic” speech, but there was no basis to justify it.

“We call on China to act with restraint and avoid further actions that could undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region. “This is a matter of concern,” the State Department said. Spokesman Matthew Miller said, using the initials of China's official name.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping insists Taiwan is a province of China and has called for it to embrace what he calls “peaceful reunification.” However, the Taiwanese people and the overwhelming majority of Congress reject the possibility of a communist government. In response, Beijing has escalated military exercises, incursions into Taiwan's air defense zone, cognitive warfare, technological warfare, economic warfare, and massive disinformation campaigns. US intelligence has reportedly claimed that President Xi has directed the military to be ready for a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by 2027.

Analysts say Lai's National Day speech was subdued and more cautious than his inaugural address in May. Contribution to the Council on Foreign Relations, David Sachs said on friday If China responds aggressively, “Mr. Lai may (not without reason) conclude that there is little to be gained by restraint and adopt more explicit rhetoric on cross-strait relations.” ” he said.

Monday's exercise, codenamed “Joint Sword 2024B,” went as most observers expected. The exercise, dubbed “Joint Sword 2024A,” began after Rai took office, and the “A” suffix suggests more exercises will take place this year.

The People's Liberation Army regularly conducts military exercises, at least once or twice a year, that focus on invading or blockading Taiwan. Such military exercises require considerable preparation but are usually associated with speeches or actions on Taiwan, which Beijing claims are provocative.

Military analysts say each new exercise signals a strategic improvement or strengthening of the PLA's approach to Taiwan, even if it appears to have inferior firepower. I'm warning you that there is.

Last month, China conducted its first test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile since the 1980s. The missile landed near French Polynesia in the South Pacific, prompting concerns from Pacific countries. Last week, China also took part in joint exercises with Russia. Russian state media reported on Monday that both militaries continued anti-submarine fire training in the northwest Pacific.