The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command announced this morning that it had launched a joint military drill involving air, sea and rocket forces. Called “Joint Sword-2024B,” the exercises are taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island. With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint drills, focusing on subjects of sea-air combat-readiness patrol, blockade on key ports and areas, assault on maritime and ground targets, as well as joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, so as to test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command’s troops, the announcement said.
“The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding national sovereignty and national unity,” stressed Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesperson of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command. Li also reported that the Liaoning aircraft carrier task group would be participating in the drills.
The United States is, of course, “seriously concerned” about the PLA drills. “The PRC response with military provocations to a routine annual speech is unwarranted and risks escalation,” the State Department said in a press release. “We call on the P.R.C. to act with restraint and to avoid any further actions that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, which is essential to regional peace and prosperity and a matter of international concern.”
