China’s military completed its “expected goals” during two days of drills around Taiwan last week but remains ready for further action if provoked, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, conducted the exercises following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing labels a “separatist.”
Thursday’s comments came shortly after Taiwan warned that Beijing was attempting to gradually erode its autonomy through continuous drills and other pressure tactics on Lai’s new administration.
The joint exercises by the People’s Liberation Army were intended to curb aggressive Taiwanese independence movements and serve as a warning against foreign interference, said spokesperson Wu Qian in Beijing.
“We have reached our expected goals,” he stated during a press briefing.
“We are confident that despite external turbulence and changes, we will handle everything with ease,” Wu added, promising stronger military countermeasures against any further actions by “separatist” forces.
Also read this:> Japanese fighter jets track Chinese WL-10 drone
Although the drills have officially concluded, China’s military activities persist, with Taiwan reporting on Wednesday that Chinese warplanes and warships conducted a “joint combat readiness patrol.”
“The Chinese communists’ pressure on Taiwan is all-encompassing, particularly in the diplomatic arena,” Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters at parliament.
Taiwan faces significant obstacles in its efforts to participate in international events, such as the recent World Health Organization meeting from which it was excluded, Lin added.
China’s Continued Military Pressure on Taiwan
Chinese pressure keeps Taiwan out of most international bodies. China claims Taiwan as one of its provinces, denying it the status and attributes of a state, a position the government in Taipei firmly rejects.
Lin pointed to other actions by China, such as unilaterally opening new air routes close to Taiwan-controlled islands near the Chinese coast and sending coast guard ships to Taiwan’s east coast during last week’s exercises.
“The Chinese communists are continuing to change the status quo,” he said. “They are creating a new normal, pressing on at every stage, trying to erode and annex us.”
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, during a routine news conference on Wednesday, reiterated its complaints about Lai being a proponent of Taiwan’s formal independence and threatened continued Chinese military activity.
Lai’s repeated offers of talks with China have been rejected. He asserts that only Taiwan’s people can determine their future.
China insists that Taiwan is a purely internal matter. Lin emphasized that stability is a concern for everyone.
“The cross-Strait issue is not only about the Strait; it’s a regional, or even global matter,” he added.
Taipei maintains that Taiwan is already an independent country, known as the Republic of China. The Republican government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s Communists, who established the People’s Republic of China.
List of China Military Drills around Taiwan
Here is a table listing the recent military drills conducted by China around Taiwan:
| Date | Description | Purpose | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Two days of drills following President Lai Ching-te’s inauguration | To deter Taiwanese independence movements and warn against foreign interference | Involved joint exercises by the People’s Liberation Army |
| March 2023 | Large-scale joint air and naval drills | To demonstrate military readiness and capability | Included simulated attacks on key Taiwanese targets |
| September 2022 | Live-fire drills near Taiwan Strait | To intimidate Taiwan and signal readiness for conflict | Coincided with heightened political tensions |
| August 2022 | Multiple days of exercises involving aircraft and warships | To practice encirclement and blockade tactics | Followed high-profile visits by foreign dignitaries to Taiwan |
| January 2022 | Night-time combat readiness drills | To enhance night-time operational capabilities | Featured extensive use of electronic warfare equipment |
