China: The Chinese military has launched its second day of war games near Taiwan, claiming that the purpose of the exercises was to evaluate the military’s capacity to “seize power” and seize control of strategic locations within the self-governing democracy.
China labelled the Joint Sword-2024A exercises as “punishment” as the first day of the exercises began on Thursday. This was in response to Taiwan’s new president, William Lai Ching-te, stating during his inauguration speech that Taiwan was a “sovereign and independent nation with sovereignty resting in the people.”
In addition, Lai emphasized that Taiwan would not compromise its liberties and urged Beijing to “cease its aggression against Taiwan.”
The drills are a part of Beijing’s growing campaign of military and political intimidation. Beijing claims sovereignty over the island and has not ruled out using force to bring about its unification.
Colonel Li Xi, a spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command, stated that the two-day drills are evaluating the participants’ “capability of joint seizure of power, joint strikes and control of key territories.”
As the drills began, Taiwan mobilized its military personnel to keep an eye on and shadow Chinese action. The island’s Ministry of Defense released images of F-16s flying about with live missiles on Friday.
Images of Chinese coast guard ships and other navy ships participating in manoeuvres close to Taiwan’s Pengjia Islet were also displayed.
China’s military, meanwhile, released footage showing soldiers pouring out of a facility to combat stations and jets taking off to the sound of a martial song.
Chinese sailors warned their Taiwanese counterparts at sea not to “resist reunification by force,” according to a report from state television CCTV.
WORLD ROUNDUP | Putin to Visit China amid growing worldwide criticism
