China deploys warplanes, ships near Taiwan in aggressive show of force; US calls for restraint

Irked by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's speech on Taiwan National Day in which he said China has no right to represent his country and declared his commitment to resist annexation or encroachment, China deployed an aircraft carrier, other ships and warplanes in large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan and its outlying islands, on Monday, attracting widespread criticism and condemnation.

The 'Joint Sword-2024B' drills took place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.

China's defence ministry said the drills were a response to the Taiwanese president's refusal to accept Beijing's demand that Taiwan acknowledges itself as a part of the People's Republic of China.

China deployed its Liaoning aircraft carrier for the drills. CCTV showed a J-15 fighter jet taking off from the deck of the carrier, although the exact location of the ship is unclear, according to news agency AP.

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Military drills focussing on key-port blockade, seizure of regional control, and assault on maritime and ground targets in areas to the north and south of Taiwan Island, are a test of the PLA troops' capabilities of multi-domain collaboration, systems confrontation and precision strikes on key targets, the defence ministry claimed.

China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Senior Captain Li Xi said the navy, army, air force and missile corps were mobilised for the drills.

After the day-long drills, China's defence ministry warned of further action against Taiwan. "The People's Liberation Army's actions will be pushed further with each 'Taiwan independence' provocation until the Taiwan issue is completely resolved," the ministry said in a statement.

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"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," the ministry further said.

Taiwan called the drills "blatant provocations" that seriously undermined regional peace and stability, while the US asked China to act with restraint.

"We call on the PRC 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," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The drills also attracted criticism from the European Union which said, "The EU reaffirms that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity."