Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Friday evening that 62 Chinese planes had been detected around the island over which Beijing claims sovereignty, during the second day of military exercises launched by China. “Since 7:14 a.m. today (11:14 p.m. GMT Thursday), 62 planes have been detected… of which 47 have crossed the median line,” the ministry said in a statement, referring to the line bisecting the Taiwan Strait, as part of military exercises presented by Beijing as “severe punishment” against the “separatists” of the island. This is the largest number of planes observed in 24 hours this year.
Chinese maneuvers involve the land, sea and air forces
The 47 aircraft that crossed the median line “entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) of northern, central and southern Taiwan to collaborate with 27 navy and coast guard vessels in the framework of military exercises”, specified the ministry. Thursday, on the first day of these military maneuvers called “Joint Sword-2024A”, 49 Chinese planes were detected around Taiwan. Started Thursday morning in the strait, around Taiwan and near the surrounding islands, these maneuvers involve the army, the navy, the air force and the rocket unit.
They are due to last until Friday inclusive, but analysts warn that they could be extended or renewed soon. Their objective is to verify the “capacity to seize power and joint strikes, as well as control key territories,” Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese army, said on Friday. Beijing presented these military exercises on Thursday as a “severe punishment” against the “separatists” of the island who will end “in blood”, in reaction to the inauguration speech Monday by Lai Ching-te, perceived by China as a “avowal of Taiwan’s independence”.
Taiwan “will defend the values of freedom and democracy”, Lai Ching-te, described by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist” for his past declarations in favor of the independence of the island, promised Thursday, even if he has since moderated his speech.