Official announcements from the PLA or Taiwanese defense ministry reports

China Conducts Joint Sword 2024B Military Drills Around Taiwan, 153 PLA Aircraft Involved

Oct 17, 2024, 12:00 PM

China has launched a significant military exercise, Joint Sword 2024B, involving a simulated blockade around Taiwan. The exercise included the deployment of 34 ships from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG), and the participation of 153 PLA aircraft, with 111 entering Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), marking the highest number recorded in a single day. The Chinese Coast Guard played an unprecedented role in these drills, which also involved a joint patrol and exercise with Russian counterparts in the North Pacific. The carrier group practiced securing a key choke point. This operation has raised concerns about China's use of 'gray zone' tactics, which blur the lines between military and non-military actions, potentially escalating tensions in the region.