On October 14th, the People’s Republic of China conducted military exercises near Taiwan, with the Taiwan Armed Forces detecting 153 instances of Chinese aircraft (including 111 instances of encroachment into the western, southwestern, and eastern airspace across the Taiwan Strait), setting a new record for single-day high frequency. The United States, European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom expressed serious concerns over the Chinese military drills, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) conveying sincere gratitude in response.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army of China announced the organization of land, naval, air, rocket forces, and other military assets on the morning of the 14th for the “Joint Sword-2024B Exercise” aimed at the Taiwan Strait, northern and southern Taiwan, and eastern region. Later the same evening, China announced the conclusion of the “Joint Sword-2024B” military exercise.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released the movements of Chinese military assets today, stating that from 5 a.m. on the 14th until 6 a.m. today, they detected 153 instances of Chinese aircraft (including 111 instances of encroachment into western, southwestern, and eastern airspace across the Taiwan Strait), along with 14 Chinese vessels and 12 government ships continually operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military closely monitored and prepared responses using missile systems and naval assets.
According to the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China, the disclosed movements of Chinese military assets were specifically related to the Chinese military exercises, thus the counting time started at 5 a.m. on the 14th, overlapping partly with the movements disclosed on the morning of the 14th.
On the 13th, the U.S. Department of State issued a statement expressing serious concerns about the Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and its surroundings, calling China’s military provocations in response to routine annual speeches unreasonable and escalatory. The U.S. urges China to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further destabilize the Taiwan Strait and regional peace; the U.S. continues to monitor China’s actions and will coordinate with allies and partners.
Following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent emphasis on the routine nature of Taiwan’s National Day speech and China’s inappropriate use of it as an excuse for provocative actions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stated, “The U.S. once again expressing serious concerns regarding China’s military provocations based on our routine speech demonstrates their commitment to our security, and we sincerely appreciate it.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China reiterated that China’s military pressure and intimidating rhetoric against Taiwan under the pretext of President Tsai’s National Day speech seriously violate the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, lacking international recognition and raising high concerns among nations regarding China’s provocation and destabilizing actions. The ministry calls on like-minded allies and partners to urge China to act rationally and desist from threatening Taiwan or escalating regional tensions, and to resolve differences through dialogue.
A spokesperson from the European Union External Action Service issued a statement in response to China’s announcement of the “Joint Sword-2024B” military exercise, highlighting that China’s military actions around Taiwan further heighten cross-strait tensions and emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for regional and global security and prosperity. The EU, having a direct interest in maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion, calling on all parties to show restraint and avoid actions that exacerbate tension across the strait, advocating for dialogue to resolve differences.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China expressed gratitude for the EU’s continued close attention to Taiwan Strait situations and for promptly declaring support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following China’s military exercises. The ministry reaffirmed Taiwan’s role as a responsible member of the international community and vowed to enhance cooperation with European allies based on shared values to uphold democratic principles and preserve the rules-based international order, demonstrating Taiwan’s commitment to safeguarding democracy.
Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe, when interviewed on the 14th regarding China’s joint military exercises around the Taiwan Strait, stated, “Peace and security in the Taiwan Strait and its surrounding areas are crucial to Japan and the region. Japan will continue to closely monitor the situation and make all necessary preparations.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged and appreciated Prime Minister Abe’s immediate express of high concern and reiterated Japan’s support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following China’s military provocations.
Additionally, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi emphasized the importance of peaceful stability in the Taiwan Strait on the 14th, pledging to closely observe the situation and continue vigilant monitoring of relevant developments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stressed, “Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has become a consensus in the international community. China’s repeated unjustified pressure and intimidation against our country severely undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region. The ministry once again calls on China to act with rational restraint, cease threatening Taiwan, refrain from unilateral actions that escalate regional tensions, and enhance our self-defense capabilities alongside like-minded partners such as the U.S. and Japan to defend the rules-based international order.”
The UK Foreign Office issued a news statement expressing concerns over China’s military exercises around Taiwan escalating regional tensions and risks. The UK reaffirmed its interests in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which are critical to global prosperity. The Taiwan issue should be resolved through dialogue between the people on both sides without resorting to threats or coercion. The UK does not support any attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo and calls for restraint to avoid actions that jeopardize peace and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China sincerely thanked the UK government for its continued close attention to the Taiwan Strait situation and clear recognition of the importance of peace and stability in the region. Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community, committed to upholding the rules-based international order in cooperation with like-minded partners, and hopes that global democratic countries will unite in urging China to act rationally and refrain from threatening Taiwan or escalating regional tensions.