The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command announced today (23rd) that it has initiated military exercises near Taiwan. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated that in response to the irrational provocation and destabilizing actions by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Taiwan has deployed naval, air, and ground forces to safeguard freedom and democracy and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China.
President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen, and Vice President Lai Ching-te were sworn in on the morning of the 20th during a solemn and dignified ceremony. The term of office for the President and Vice President of the Republic of China is four years, with the possibility of re-election for another term.
The Chinese Communist military claimed today that the Eastern Theater Command has organized land, sea, air forces, and rocket forces among others, commencing the “Joint Sword – 2024A” exercise around Taiwan and the surrounding islands starting at 7:45 am on the 23rd until the 24th.
In the face of the irrational provocation from the Chinese Communist Eastern Theater Command, which undermines regional peace and stability, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China has deployed naval, air, and ground forces to protect freedom and democracy through concrete actions, defending the sovereignty of the Republic of China. Faced with continuous provocations from the CCP, the entire military stands ready, adhering to the principle of “preparedness for combat but not seeking war; engaging in war if necessary without evading it” to ensure national security and collectively safeguard our beautiful homeland.
The Coast Guard Administration has also confirmed that they have promptly gathered relevant information, completed maritime deployments, collaborated with the Ministry of National Defense to utilize joint intelligence surveillance measures to monitor the dynamics of surrounding waters, maintaining a high level of alertness and strict surveillance to defend national sovereignty and security with a resolute attitude.
Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China also announced today that from 6:00 am on the 22nd to 6:00 am today, a total of 1 aircraft from the CCP entered the southwest and southeast airspace of Taiwan, and 8 naval vessels together with 4 coast guard ships were detected, making a total of 13 CCP aircraft and vessels continuously active around the Taiwan Strait. The military has closely monitored and responded using aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems.
According to the “Diagram of PLA Activities in the Vicinity of the Taiwan Strait” published by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China, on the 22nd from 7:27 am to 10:29 am, a CCP unmanned aerial vehicle was detected entering the Republic of China’s Air Defense Identification Zone from the northeast airspace of Dongsha Island, flying into the southwest airspace of Taiwan and continuing to the southeast airspace of Taiwan, approaching approximately 45 nautical miles from Eluanbi.
The Ministry of National Defense also issued a press release today indicating that in response to recent activities in the airspace and waters around Taiwan, including the actions of CCP coast guard ships and routine exercises of certain amphibious landing forces, rocket units, etc., the military, in cooperation with the Coast Guard Administration and other units, has been maintaining close surveillance through a unified intelligence surveillance system.
The Ministry of National Defense stated that in addition to normal combat training by ground forces, there has been an emphasis on enhancing regional joint defense and base security. Air defense and missile units have intensified intelligence gathering on targets and strengthened responses to emergencies. Preparing for potential coordinated actions by the enemy, cognitive warfare has been included in the early exercise response items to ensure national defense security.