Beijing holds military drills around Taiwan, drawing concern

TAIPEI - China's military staged a day of war games near Taiwan on Oct 14, saying it was a warning to the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces", drawing condemnation from the Taipei and US governments.

China's Defence Ministry vowed to take further action against Taiwan if needed, "until the Taiwan issue is completely resolved", saying the drills were an increase in pressure against Taiwan independence.

Democratically governed Taiwan had been on alert for more war games since last week's national day speech by President Lai Ching-te, but some analysts said Oct 14's actions seemed calibrated to avoid inflaming the US presidential race. Mr Lai's address was condemned by Beijing after he said China had no right to represent Taiwan even as he offered to cooperate with Beijing, which views Taiwan as China's own territory.

The Chinese military's Eastern Theatre Command said the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills were taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.

"The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity," it said in a statement.

The command announced the end of the drills on the evening of Oct 14, and no further large-scale drills have yet been announced. Earlier, the command published a map highlighting nine areas around Taiwan where the drills took place - two on the island's east coast, three on the west coast, one to the north and three around Taiwan-controlled islands next to the Chinese coast.

Chinese warship formations, destroyers and aircraft were approaching Taiwan in "close proximity from different directions", focusing on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, blockading key ports and areas, and assaulting maritime and ground targets, the command added.

China's Liaoning aircraft carrier and supporting ships were also involved in the east of Taiwan, the military announced - a deployment monitored by Taiwan's military.