China Conducts Military Exercises Near Taiwan in ‘Revenge’ for New President

China has commenced large-scale military drills around Taiwan, calling them a "strong punishment" for the island's new pro-independence president, William Lai, and a warning against perceived separatist acts.

China has declared large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan to be a “strong punishment” for the self-ruled island after the swearing-in of its new pro-independence president, William Lai. The drills started early Thursday, only three days after Lai assumed the office.

China’s People’s Liberation Army spokesperson Li Xi criticised what Beijing perceives as Taiwan’s ‘separatist actions’ and said that the drills were a ‘strong warning’ against Taiwan’s ‘independence movement’ and foreign meddling.

The drills encompass the Taiwan Strait to the west, the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islets as well as the main island of Taiwan. China’s military stated that the operations are aimed at evaluating the combat capabilities by conducting patrols, attacks on crucial targets, and realistic combined exercises regarding Taiwan.

Taiwan has countered by mobilizing its naval, air, and ground forces to observe the situation and “assert sovereignty”. The defense ministry criticized Beijing’s actions as “irrational provocations” which are dangerous for regional peace and stability.

The relations have deteriorated since Lai’s election in January, China has accused him of being a separatist and a troublemaker due to his previous comments supporting Taiwan’s formal secession from China. During his inauguration speech, Lai urged Beijing to ‘stop threatening Taiwan,’ provoking criticism from China’s foreign minister.

Although China has declared Taiwan as its territory under the ‘One China’ policy, it has declined Lai’s overtures for dialogue and labeled him as an independence advocate anathema to China. The military drills indicate Xi Jinping’s efforts to apply pressure on the new Taiwanese leadership through grey-zone coercion strategies.

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Experts consider the actions as a part of China’s gradual systematic process of undermining Taiwan’s capabilities and determination. But Beijing claims that the drills are lawful measures against Taiwan secessionists and outside meddling.