China carried out a military exercise near southern Taiwan on Wednesday, conducting a “joint combat readiness patrol” about 40 nautical miles offshore.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, 45 sorties were detected, and 34 sorties had crossed the line of the Taiwan Strait. Fourteen People’s Liberation Army Navy ships also participated in the drills.
When asked about the exercises at a press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (林劍) said, “This is not a question related to foreign affairs.”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), deputy head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, said Beijing continues to pursue a dual strategy of engagement and military coercion toward Taiwan.
China in 2023 introduced four batches of so-called “preferential measures” aimed at integrating Taiwan, but their impact appears limited, Liang said, predicting that China will likely place greater emphasis on military intimidation and threats.
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