Official announcements from the People's Liberation Army or Taiwan's Ministry of Defense

China Launches Military Drills Encircling Taiwan, Citing Separatist Acts; Taiwan Responds

Oct 13, 2024, 10:52 PM

China has initiated new military drills in the Taiwan Strait, sending planes and ships to encircle the island nation. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced the exercises are a warning against "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces" and are believed to be in response to Lai's National Day Address. Taiwan has condemned the move as "irrational and provocative," with the Ministry of Defense stating it has dispatched "appropriate forces" in response. "We strongly condemn this provocative action by China," the Ministry added. The drills escalate tensions in the region.