TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) urged China to exercise restraint amid reports that Beijing could launch a new series of military exercises on National Day (Oct. 10). 

From May 23-24, China launched large-scale military exercises around Taiwan called "Joint Sword 2024A” following President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration speech on May 20. On Monday (Oct. 7), a senior security official was cited by PTS News as saying that Beijing may use Lai's National Day speech as a pretext to launch similar drills possibly titled “Joint Sword 2024B.” 

During a session of the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday (Oct. 8). Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Yeh Yuan-chih (葉元之) asked Cho whether the Chinese Communist Party would launch military exercises on National Day. Cho responded that he hoped China's exercises would be limited to areas under its jurisdiction and that Beijing would limit actions that could “undermine the security of the Indo-Pacific region,” per SET News.

When Yeh asked to what extent the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is aware of China's preparations for the upcoming exercises, Cho said he is not at liberty to comment in detail. However, he stressed that the ministry is not only monitoring the Joint SwordB exercise.

Cho said China has conducted many drills in the past, and the MND has continuously monitored them.

Cho pointed out that the MND on Tuesday (Oct. 8) had released information about the planned launch of a Chinese satellite launch vehicle over Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Oct. 10 to demonstrate to the public that the government is fully aware of all situations, per CNA. Cho said China's military exercises will coincide with Taiwan's National Day, and Taiwan will improve its defense-related security monitoring.

Cho said Taiwan has continuously monitored China's military exercises but does not want Beijing to know the extent of its knowledge.