Official statements from the U.S. Department of State or White House press releases

China Launches Largest Military Operation Since 1996 Near Taiwan After Lai's U.S. Visit

Dec 11, 2024, 10:25 AM

Taiwan has accused China of launching its largest maritime military operation since 1996, deploying nearly 100 ships and dozens of aircraft around the island. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has increased its military presence near Taiwan, with 19 ships and 53 aircraft detected in recent operations along the First Island Chain, a key strategic area. Officials stated that China had prepared the operation over 70 days. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te's recent visit to the Pacific and the United States was met with condemnation from Beijing, which labeled it a separatist move and accused Lai of seeking external support for Taiwan's independence. Beijing aims to draw a 'red line' for the next U.S. president, according to Taiwanese authorities. Lin Ying-yu, a professor at Tamkang University, noted that the People's Republic of China wants to 'pressure test' Taiwan and see how far it can go, potentially testing its navy and coast guard's wintertime maneuverability. Taiwanese officials have called on China to cease its provocative acts, stating that the maneuvers threaten peace in the Taiwan Strait and escalate regional tensions. Maj. Gen. Sun Li-fang, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, described the maneuvers as a significant security challenge, not just to Taiwan but to other countries in the region.