China has encircled Taiwan on all sides, showcasing its military strength under the guise of a drill.
The friction between China and Taiwan is far from novel, yet recent developments have further escalated this long-standing conflict. China has initiated a series of military drills near Taiwan’s borders, deploying warships and fighter jets in maneuvers under the banner of “Joint Sword-2024B.” Ostensibly framed as a test of integrated operational capacity, these exercises are largely perceived as a show of force aimed at intimidating Taiwan and curbing its pro-independence stance.
China’s ire intensifies after Taiwan’s President speaks.
The tension heightened following a speech by Taiwan’s President, William Lai Ching Te, where he unequivocally asserted Taiwan’s distinct identity, emphasizing that China holds no legitimate claim to represent Taiwan. This bold declaration was viewed as a direct affront to Beijing, which continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan. In swift retaliation, China mobilized its People’s Liberation Army (PLA), creating a quasi-blockade around Taiwan to amplify the pressure.
China starts military drills around Taiwan, with planes and ships encircling the island.
Chinese Military launches Operation Joint Sword 2024B, launching warships and fighter jets to the north, south, east, and west of Taiwan! The island is surrounded and cut off!! Taiwan… pic.twitter.com/HJ80Or8iMY
— Boar News (@PhamDuyHien9) October 14, 2024
Chinese military presence designed to unsettle Taiwan.
China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” exercise has witnessed the deployment of 25 fighter jets, seven naval vessels, and additional support ships encircling Taiwan. Some of these aircraft crossed the sensitive median line, encroaching into Taiwan’s southwestern airspace. This belligerent maneuver appears as yet another strategic attempt to unsettle Taiwan, which staunchly regards itself as a sovereign entity and rejects China’s territorial claims.
China’s aggressive posture emboldened by international complexities.
China’s increasingly aggressive posture is also attributed to its perception of U.S. and Western support for Taiwan. This latest show of force underscores China’s broader ambitions and signals growing tensions that threaten to destabilize regional peace. Taiwan, resolute in its pursuit of self-governance, continues to receive international backing, bolstering its defiance against China’s escalating pressure.
