An aggravated China lobbed “punishment” drills around Taiwan on Thursday, in what it had said was a response to “separatist acts”, sending up heavily armoured warplanes. The Chinese government had also staged mock attacks as state media vilified the newly inaugurated President, Lai Ching-te.
The exercises, in the Taiwan Strait and around groups of Taiwan-controlled islands that sit next to the Chinese coast, are coming just three days after Lai was appointed into office. It had been alleged that Beijing, China’s capital detested him and has labeled him a “separatist”.
Even though Taiwan is a democratically governed country, China still views it as its own territory, and to that effect, has denounced Lai’s inauguration speech on Monday, where he had called on China to stop its threats, saying that the two sides of the strait were “not subordinate to each other”.
The Chinese state media had revealed that China sent out dozens of fighter jets carrying live missiles, and conducted mock strikes, along with warships, of high-value military targets.
The drills, dubbed “Joint Sword – 2024A”, are slated to last for two days. But, unlike a similar “Joint Sword” exercise in April last year, these drills have been tagged “A”, opening the door to potential follow-ups.
Taiwan’s defence ministry has meanwhile, castigated the drills, saying that it had sent off forces to areas around the island, and that its air defences and land-based missile forces were monitoring targets with the confidence that it would be able to protect its territory.
Taiwan’s presidential office on the other hand, expressed regret that China was threatening the island’s democratic freedoms and regional peace and stability with its “unilateral military provocations”, but the office had assured residents that they assured Taiwan would ensure its security.
Why It Matters
China’s “punishment” war games near Taiwan are of consequence because they represent a significant escalation in tensions between China and Taiwan.
The drills, which are a direct response to Taiwan’s newly inaugurated President, Lai Ching-te, highlight China’s aggressive stance towards what it views as separatist actions.
The ‘assault’ which include mock attacks and heavily armed warplanes, highlights the ongoing conflict over Taiwan’s autonomy.
Taiwan’s government, defending its democratic status, views these actions as a threat to regional peace and stability. This situation could lead to heightened instability in the Taiwan Strait, affecting global geopolitical dynamics and security in the region if care is not taken.
Bottom Line
While China’s aggressive military maneuvers are more visibly provocative and threaten regional stability, Taiwan’s assertions of its democratic governance and independence challenge China’s claims of sovereignty. Ultimately, the fault lies in the failure of both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to their longstanding issues.
