China concludes war games near Taiwan amid rising tensions over independence stance

China’s military concluded a day of war games near Taiwan on Monday, framing the exercises as a warning against the “separatist acts” of Taiwan’s independence forces. The drills drew strong condemnation from both Taipei and the U.S. governments.

Taiwan, a democratically governed island, had been on high alert for potential military actions following last week’s National Day speech by President Lai Ching-te. However, some analysts believe Monday’s maneuvers were designed to avoid escalating tensions during the U.S. presidential election season.

In his speech, Lai asserted that China had no right to represent Taiwan, while also expressing a willingness to cooperate with Beijing. His remarks were swiftly condemned by the Chinese government, which regards Taiwan as part of its own territory.

The Chinese military’s Eastern Theatre Command announced that the “Joint Sword-2024B” drills were conducted in the Taiwan Strait and in areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan.

“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 state sovereignty and national unity,” it said in a statement carried both in Chinese and English.

The command announced the end of the drills on Monday evening, and no further large-scale drills have yet been announced.

Earlier it issued a map highlighting nine areas around Taiwan where the drills took place – two on the island’s east coast, three on the west coast, one to the north and three around Taiwan-controlled islands next to the Chinese coast.

Chinese warship formations, destroyers and aircraft were approaching Taiwan in “close proximity from different directions”, focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockading key ports and areas, assaulting maritime and ground targets, the command added.

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