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China's 'Joint Sword-2024B' Drills Encircle Taiwan, Blockading Ports in Warning to Independence Forces

Oct 14, 2024, 03:55 AM

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has launched large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, involving naval, air force, and rocket force drills in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. The exercises, named "Joint Sword-2024B," are conducted by the Eastern Theater Command and include operations by the Liaoning aircraft carrier group and hundreds of aircraft and ships. The drills focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockades of key ports and areas, assaults on maritime and ground targets, and practicing encirclement of the island. China's defense ministry stated that the exercises are a stern warning to "separatist acts" and "Taiwan independence forces," and are in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent National Day address promoting independence. Taiwan's government has convened a high-level security meeting and condemned the exercises as an irrational and provocative move that threatens regional stability. The exercises have no clearly defined end date.