Taiwan has strongly condemned the recent Chinese military drills around the island, labeling them as an 'unreasonable provocation.' The drills, involving joint operations of the army, navy, air force, and rocket force, were conducted in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan, with China deploying warships and fighter jets.
These exercises, code-named Joint Sword-2024B, are seen as a stern warning to what Beijing perceives as 'separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.' Taiwan's Defense Ministry has dispatched its own forces in response to the drills.
President Lai Ching-te has reassured the public of Taiwan's commitment to defending its democratic system and national security in the face of external threats. The drills come amidst escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, with Beijing asserting its claims over the self-governing island.
China's military exercises have become more frequent in recent years, often coinciding with events that anger Beijing. The latest drills follow President Lai's speech asserting Taiwan's sovereignty and independence from China.
The United States has expressed serious concern over the military exercises, urging China to act with restraint to avoid further escalation and maintain peace and stability in the region.
These developments highlight the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the complex dynamics between Taiwan, China, and other regional actors.
