Official statements from the Taiwan government or major international news agencies

Xi Jinping Orders Full Combat Alert After China-Russia Drills and Simulated Taiwan Blockade

Oct 19, 2024, 05:04 PM

China has intensified its military readiness following a series of joint drills with Russia and military exercises around Taiwan. The China Coast Guard (CCG) completed joint patrol missions with Russia's coast guard and participated in drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan, deploying 17 ships, including a 12,000-ton vessel. The exercises involved practicing blockading Taiwanese ports and assaulting maritime and ground targets. President Xi Jinping, during a Thursday visit to a brigade of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, including the DF-26 Brigade, called on the missile forces to enhance their deterrence capabilities and increase combat readiness. He ordered the naval and missile forces to be put on full combat alert and stressed the need to 'strengthen strategic deterrents and combat capabilities' to ensure readiness. Xi's call for heightened preparedness included instructing troops to 'strengthen training in preparation for war.' Taiwan's Foreign Ministry, in response to the drills, urged nations to recognize China's authoritarian and expansionist nature.