TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced the “Joint Sword-2024B” military exercises around Taiwan on Monday (Oct. 14).

The PLA's Eastern Theater Command said the drills involve land, sea, air, and rocket forces in the Taiwan Strait and areas north, south, and east of Taiwan. The PLA did not say when the drills would end.   

Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Li Xihai (李熹海) said the drills will involve naval ships and military aircraft approaching Taiwan “in close proximity from different directions” for joint exercises focused on sea-air combat-readiness, blockading key ports and areas, and assaulting maritime and ground targets. Li said the exercises are designed to train Chinese forces to seize control and test joint operations capabilities. 

The Eastern Theater Command said this drill is also “a stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.” It claimed the exercises are a “legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity.”

China published a map with nine areas around Taiwan where the exercises will occur, including two off the east coast, three on the west coast, and one to the north. Exercises will also take place around Matsu's main cluster of islands, Dongyin, and Kinmen's Greater Qiu Islet. 

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it dispatched forces to respond to the Chinese drills. The MND criticized Beijing for “exacerbating cross-strait tensions” through its “irrational provocative actions” and said it will adhere to its policy of “preparing for war, yet not seeking war, and responding to war, yet avoiding war.”