On Thursday, China began a two-day military drill around Taiwan involving sea and air combat patrols, battlefield control, and other exercises. China initiated the drill three days after the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) of the DPP party. Taiwan’s Presidential Office and Defense Ministry have both issued statements.
Beijing has previously referred to Lai as a “troublemaker” and a “dangerous separatist,” and strongly disapprove of his election to the presidency. According to statements from the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command, a military drill, code-named Joint Sword-2024A, will take place in the Taiwan Strait and around the Kinmen and Matsu islands. They said the drill is meant to “punish” Taiwan for “separatist behavior.”
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui (郭雅慧) said on Thursday that it is disheartening to see China initiate unilateral military provocation threatening Taiwan’s democracy and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Kuo said the National Security Council and the Taiwanese military are fully aware of the situation, and assured the public to remain calm.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry also stated on Thursday that it has dispatched sea, air, and ground forces in accordance with combat readiness regulations. The ministry said that while they do not wish to provoke further aggression, they are prepared to maintain peace and stability in the region. Taiwan’s Coast Guard added that they have completed deployment and are closely monitoring the latest updates.