US Slams Chinese "Joint Sword" Exercise

American officials have condemned "destabilizing" Chinese military exercises around Taiwan in the wake of a speech by the island's President Lai Ching-te.

Before dawn yesterday (Monday), and without prior notice, China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a series of wide-ranging three-force manoeuvres dubbed Joint Sword 2024B.

A PLA spokesman said its three armed forces, plus the Chinese coastguard, were approaching the island by sea and air for a series of drills focused on combat readiness, blockading key Taiwanese ports, and dummy assaults on maritime and ground targets.

Beijing made it clear the exercise was in response to claimed "separatist acts." Last Thursday on Taiwan's National Day President Lai had delivered a speech in which he had remarked that the People's Republic of China (PRC) "has no right to represent Taiwan" — but he'd qualified his statement by saying he was willing to work with the country for the sake of "peace and security."

Yesterday (Monday) Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder issued a press statement denouncing China's exercises as "irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing."

The U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) statement noted: "It is a long-standing tradition for Taiwan's president to deliver remarks on 10/10. It is a routine, domestic-focused address that has historically prompted little response from the PRC. Still, the PRC has chosen this opportunity to take provocative, military action."

It added: "The entire world has a stake in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council called yesterday’s drills “blatant provocations” that put regional peace and stability at risk. The drills were completed by 6pm yesterday evening local time.

• You can read the American statement in full on the U.S. DoD website