Second Day of Total Encirclement Exercise, China Warns of War on Taiwan

China simulates an attack on Taiwan. Its warships and fighter jets carry missiles ready to be fired.

AFP/I-HWA CHENG

Taiwanese military armored vehicles move along a road in Kinmen, Taiwan, Friday (24/5/2024).

TAIPEI, FRIDAY — Chinese fighter jets, warships and coast guard ships have repeatedly entered the median of the Taiwan Strait, throughout the last 24 hours, from Thursday to Friday (24/5/2024) . On the second day of war games to encircle Taiwan, Friday, Beijing warned Taipei about the dangers of war on Taiwan, while emphasizing countermeasures until complete reunification was achieved.

Chinese state television, CCTV, reported that during Friday's exercise, China's military simulated missile attacks with warships and fighter jets carrying active missiles. Bombers flew in attack formations over the waters east of Taiwan.

In the simulation, the planes coordinate with warships. They tried their ability to seize and control important areas in Taiwan.

Also read: China Returns to Total Encirclement Exercise of Taiwan

The Chinese military drill was held three days after the inauguration of Taiwan's new President, William Lai Ching-te. Beijing condemned the contents of Lai's speech at the inauguration, which was seen as a "declaration of independence."

"(Lai) has seriously challenged the One China principle... pushing our compatriots in Taiwan towards a dangerous situation of war and threat," said Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Defense, on Friday.

"Every time 'Taiwan independence' provokes us, we will take more advanced retaliatory actions until full reunification of the homeland is achieved," he said.

AP/TAIWAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

A photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense shows a naval destroyer belonging to the Taiwanese Navy, Ma Kong DDG1805 (left), monitoring the presence of a Chinese destroyer, Xi'an DDG15 (right, far), near the Taiwan Strait on Thursday (23/5/2024).

In the eyes of Beijing, Taiwan - in accordance with the One China principle recognized by the majority of countries around the world - is an autonomous region of China that allows Taiwan to have its own executive, legislative, and judicial authorities.

Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949. In that year, communist leader Mao Zedong took control of Beijing after defeating Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek, who fled and established the government of Taiwan.

Taiwan strongly condemns China's military exercises. "Facing external challenges and threats, we will continue to uphold the values of freedom and democracy," said Lai.

Lai's speech

In his inauguration speech last Monday, Lai urged Beijing to stop military intimidation. He also emphasized that Taiwan is a "sovereign independent nation with its sovereignty in the hands of its people".

Also read: Lai Ching-te Inaugurated as President of Taiwan, Affirms Choice of Democracy

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense has deployed sea patrol and coast guard ships, air and land-based missile units, especially around the islands of Kinmen and Matsu, which are about 160 kilometers from Taiwan's coastline. This readiness is part of an order from the new leader of Taiwan, Lai. On Thursday, Lai visited the Navy Base in Taoyuan, southern Taipei.

AFP/SAM YEH

Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te (center) witnessed a demonstration of the Stinger air defense system produced in the US during a visit to a military base in Taoyuan, South Taipei, Taiwan on Thursday (23/5/2024).

Many analysts believe that the joint exercise currently being conducted by the three branches of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is aimed at capturing cities or important defense facilities in Taiwan, which are the heart of the military defense and democracy of the region.

Also read: Analysis: The Taiwan Strait is always tense, will it end in war?

Zhang Chi, a defense science lecturer at the National Defense University PLA in Beijing, China, in an interview with CCTV television on Thursday (24/5/2024), said that the joint exercise conducted in eastern Taiwan has three objectives, namely to cut off the flow of energy entering and exiting Taiwan, to close escape routes, and to close military interaction routes between Taiwan and foreign forces, including the United States and its allies who may try to assist the government and people of Taiwan in defending against China's military attack.

Zhang, as quoted by The Table, said that these three things were the difference between the joint training this time, which was named Joint Sword Training-2024A.

"The main difference between this joint exercise and the last exercise in 2023, as well as the post-visit joint exercise with (Speaker of the US House of Representatives) Nancy Pelosi in 2022, lies in the proximity of the exercise zone to the city on the east coast, Hualien. This city is not only an important port location but also home to the Chiashan Air Force Base, a crucial sector in the event of war," Zhang said.

AFP/YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Two Mirage 2000 fighter jets belonging to the Taiwan Air Force are ready to take off from the Hsinchu Air Base, in northern Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday (5/23/2024).

As reported by the The Diplomat page, Hualien Air Base is one of the backbones of the Taiwan Armed Forces' air force attack power. This base was built deep under the mountain.

Despite that, the airbase has a large space for parking, arming, and repairing more than 200 fighter jets. In addition, the airbase also has its own health facilities, including a hospital and a fueling station for its newest fighter jets.

The page taiwannews.com in October 2023 stated that several French fighter jet pilots carried out joint training with Taiwanese Air Force pilots at Hualien Air Base. In an annual exercise held in October 2024, using two of its flagship fighter jets, namely the Mirage 2000 and F-16V, French Air Force fighter jet pilots helped Taiwanese pilots practice air combat skills.

Attacks in the south

Not only did PLA fighter jets conduct simulation attacks in the eastern region, but they also conducted simulation attacks on the southern region. A senior security official in Taiwan stated that several Chinese bombers conducted simulation attacks against foreign ships at the eastern end of the Bashi Strait, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines.

The simulation, according to the official, practices how to seize total control of a chain of islands in the western region of the Bashi Strait.

See also: Heating Up Again, China Holds Military Exercises to Encircle Taiwan

The official, who refused to be named, said that several Chinese coast guard vessels also conducted exercises, including simulations of inspections on civilian ships. In response, the Chinese Coast Guard stated that the exercises were part of law enforcement efforts, including verification and identification training, as well as warnings and refusals.

AFP/TAIWAN COAST GUARD

The photo released by the Taiwan Coast Guard on Friday (24/5/2024) shows a Chinese military ship sailing several miles southeast of the Green Island in the eastern waters of Taiwan.

A public relations officer for the US Navy's 7th Fleet said it was watching all activity in the Indo-Pacific and would respond very seriously to prevent aggression in the region.

Propaganda and pressure

The PLA Eastern Command, Friday (24/5/2024), released a video via WeChat social media showing the launch of a missile aimed at Taiwan's territorial area from land, sea and air. The animated video shows the missiles being launched hitting the centers of Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hualien. Fireballs scattered after dozens of missiles hit these cities.

To assert that the joint exercise is a punishment against Taiwan, a series of texts were included at the end of the video. "Holy weapon to kill independence," is among the statements made.

In its official statement on the website of the newspaper People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party said it had become a common belief in society that the country's territory could not be divided or separated. People also cannot be separated.

“The recent actions of Taiwan regional leaders will only accelerate the ‘destruction’ of pro-independence forces in Taiwan,” the Chinese Communist Party said in a statement.

Also read: Taiwan asks China to stop narrative of unity

They also stated that Beijing is willing to give Taiwan as much space as possible for peaceful reunification. However, they also mentioned that China will not provide ample room for separatist actions carried out by Taiwan.

Also read: Taiwan is on alert to face economic and military pressure from China

During a visit to the Naval Base in Taoyuan, South Taipei, President Lai promised to take a frontline stance alongside the Taiwanese military in defending its national security. He also mentioned that the Strait of Taiwan has become the center of attention for many countries, especially because Taiwan is a democratic region.

AFP/YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Taiwan Air Force F-16 fighter jets prepare to land at Hualien Air Force Base, eastern Taiwan, Friday (24/5/2024).

The spokesperson of the Presidential Office, Kuo Ya-hui, stated that there is a strong international consensus to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. The holding of this joint military exercise is certainly regrettable.

"However, it is very unfortunate that China is unilaterally carrying out provocative military exercises because these exercises not only threaten freedom and democracy in Taiwan, but also threaten the status quo of peace and stability in the region," said Kuo. (AP/REUTERS)