China's Military Drills Near Taiwan: A Response to Speech

China staged military drills near Taiwan as a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent speech. The drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," involved different branches of the Chinese military. They were conducted around the north, south, and east of the island. The goal was to test their joint operations capability and send a warning to those advocating for Taiwanese independence. The Chinese military claims these exercises are necessary to protect their sovereignty and national unity. China has been critical of Lai, viewing him as a separatist. Lai, in his speech, asserted that China does not represent Taiwan or its 23 million people. He also emphasized Taiwan's commitment to democracy and freedom. The Chinese military held similar drills in May after Lai's inauguration. Taiwan's response was to convene national security meetings to discuss appropriate responses. They urged China to respect Taiwan's democratic way of life and cease military provocations that could destabilize the region. The United States expressed concern about the drills and called for restraint from China. Analysts have stated that while tensions are high, they are manageable as long as communication channels remain open between the U. S. , China, and Taiwan. Despite China's increased military activities around Taiwan, most Taiwanese people believe an invasion within the next five years is unlikely.