China heightened tensions with Taiwan on Monday by deploying fighter jets and warships around the self-ruled island, conducting large-scale war games labeled as a “stern warning” to separatist forces. These actions mark Beijing’s fourth round of exercises in the past two years, drawing criticism from the United States for risking escalation.
Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, condemned the drills as irrational and provocative, responding with appropriate forces. Chinese military spokesperson Capt. Li Xi described the exercises, known as Joint Sword-2024B, as testing joint operations capabilities near Taiwan and focusing on sea-air combat readiness and assault scenarios.
Amid the heightened military activity, Taiwan affirmed its commitment to national defense security, with President Lai vowing to protect the democratic island against external threats. The ongoing dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to a civil war in 1949, leading to separate governance ever since.