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China is carrying out a large-scale two-day military exercise around Taiwan as a “strong punishment” for the self-ruled island’s “separatist acts”. Though China has carried out at least two such drills in the past, the ongoing war game is different in its design and objectives.

On Thursday, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched the joint war game involving its army, air force, navy, and rocket force for joint sea-air combat-readiness patrol. Joint Sword-2024A aims to test “joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets”, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported quoting PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command.

A simulated 3D animation released by the PLA on the second day showed Chinese aircraft dropping missiles on Taiwan — an assertion of Beijing’s policy of taking Taiwan with force.

Chinese warplanes and ships came dangerously close to Taiwanese military hardware during the exercise, according to video footage released by the two sides.

At least 49 Chinese aircraft, 19 vessels, and seven coast guard vessels were detected around Taiwan by its forces in the last 24 hours ending at 6 am (local time) on Friday. 35 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered the island’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

China said the military drill, which comes just three days after pro-independence leader Lai Ching-te assumed office, also seeks to send serious warning against “interference and provocation by external forces”.

WHY IT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME

For the first time, Chinese armed forces have also encircled the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin. These islands fall close to the Chinese coast.

Observers said that the ongoing military drill simulated a full-scale invasion of Taiwan. As per the PLA, Chinese vessels and planes crisscrossed the island chain of Taiwan to test its joint real combat capabilities.

On Friday, the PLA said the exercise is designed to test its ability to “seize power” over the island.

Chinese National Defence University’s Zhang Chi said the PLA forces were practicing a “blockade of Taiwan”. “Once it is besieged and blocked, it can easily lead to economic collapse and become a dead island. This time, the PLA’s exercise focused on practising the new model of blockade,” he told state broadcaster CCTV.

Reuters quoted state media to report that China sent out dozens of fighter jets carrying live missiles, and conducted mock strikes, along with warships, of high-value military targets. However, Taiwan’s defence ministry said no live-fire drills were held in any areas close to Taiwan on Thursday.

RISING TENSIONS

This military manoeuvre comes amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the democratically-elected territory asserts independence from China.

It escalated further following the speech delivered by President Lai, in which he looked more assertive about independence aspirations. As per reports, he referred to China as “China” in his speech – a departure from the practice of his predecessors who described China as “the mainland”, “Beijing authorities”, and “across the strait”. He also called on it to stop intimidation of Taiwan.

A furious Beijing ridiculed Lai as a “dangerous separatist” and “disruptor of peace”, and his speech as a “blatant confession of Taiwan independence.”

Even as Taiwanese jets and warships scrambled to monitor and warn Chinese forces inside what it claims its territorial waters, President Lai visited a military camp to “encourage our military”. “As the world closely watches democratic Taiwan, when faced with external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend our values of freedom & democracy and maintain regional peace & stability,” he said.

From the security point of view, the tensions have made the South China Sea arguably the hottest region after Ukraine and the Middle East.

Chinese forces encircled Taiwan and conducted live-firing exercises following the historic visit by then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August 2022.