TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – China’s military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan posed a challenge to the international order and were condemned by the global community, the Presidential Office said Saturday (May 25).

Beijing conducted two days of drills dubbed “Joint Sword-2024A” on Thursday and Friday (May 23-24) involving land, sea, air, and rocket forces. China described the maneuvers as “punishment” for what it called President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) Taiwan independence stance.

State-controlled media in China said the drills were “normal” and “necessary” but Beijing’s unilateral actions damaged peace and stability, while posing a challenge to the global order, said Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui (郭雅慧). She added the president and his national security team had closely monitored the drills and taken the necessary measures, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI).

In his May 20 inaugural speech, Lai hoped China would put the security and well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait first, Kuo said. China should stop its threats against Taiwan and the region, and shoulder its global responsibility to maintain peace and stability, Kuo quoted President Lai as saying.