According to Chinese officials, China is likely to conduct military exercises this month near Taiwan, using Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s approaching National Day conversation as a pretext to stress the island into accepting its claims for sovereignty.
China conducted “punishment” drills in Taiwan immediately after Lai’s inauguration, which Beijing described as a “response to separatist acts” by sending heavily armed warplanes away and staging mock attacks as state media decried the newly elected Lai.
The May training were dubbed” Joint Sword- 2024A” and drew problems from assets including Washington.
To honor the 113th day of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, Lai will provide a significant statement on October 10 in a grand ceremony held in front of the political office in Taipei.
We believe that no matter what Lai says on October 10, they may telephone Joint Sword- 2024B and put a title on already-existing exercises. That’s a possibility”, said a senior Taiwan security standard, citing intelligence gathered by Taiwan and the government’s analyses of China’s good goes.
” It’s likely to be a pretext”, the official said.
In an inner stability note, a version of which was reviewed by Reuters, Taiwan authorities say they believe Beijing may blame the probable drills on Lai’s “provocation” in his statement.
China has” constantly tried to check the dark lines of different countries, maximising its grey-zone operations“, the memo said, referring to defense moves that stop short of real combat to test and pressure other forces.
Both Taiwan’s and China’s defence ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Additionally, Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to comments calls right away.