China Launches Joint Sword Drills in Waters Around Taiwan, Signaling Growing Military Presence in Region

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported on Monday that four J-15 fighter jets had crossed into the southeastern portion of the island’s air defense identification zone. This was the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier had taken part in the patrols, with the Japanese military posting video of a fighter jet taking off from the deck.

The combat readiness patrols, dubbed “Joint Sword,” took place in three areas in waters around Taiwan and were successfully completed Monday, the Chinese military said. Experts say the exercises were smaller in scale and severity than Beijing’s actions last August, when it encircled Taiwan with unprecedented live-fire military drills in response to a visit by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Beijing launched the drills on Saturday, a day after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a 10-day visit to Central America and the United States where she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The drills were seen as a show of strength by China, though the reaction to the military exercises last August was negative.

The Joint Sword drills come amid increased tensions between China and Taiwan, with China claiming sovereignty over the self-ruled island. The United States has been a long-time supporter of Taiwan, and has recently increased its support for the island, including selling arms to Taiwan and sending high-level officials to visit.

The Joint Sword drills are seen as a warning to Taiwan and the United States, and a reminder of China’s growing military presence in the region. It remains to be seen how the United States and Taiwan will respond to the drills, and whether China will continue to increase its military presence in the region.